The Meyer lemon arrived in the U.S. in 1908, brought back by USDA agricultural explorer Frank Meyer from one of his expeditions to Asia. Among the 2,500 plant species he introduced, this unique lemon-orange hybrid became known as the Meyer lemon, named in his honor. First planted in Texas, Florida, and California, the Meyer lemon’s...Read More

Sweet potatoes, originating in South America, hold a fascinating history. Not only were they cultivated by ancient civilizations in the Americas, but they also made their way across the Pacific to Polynesia, where they are called kumar. Though often confused with potatoes, sweet potatoes belong to an entirely different plant family and are only distantly...Read More

A sure sign that November is here is the warm orange glow emanating from many stalls at the market. This deep red-orange luminescence comes from what is known throughout much of the world as kaki (a Japanese word, pronounced ‘kah-kee’), a fruit we know as persimmon. ‘Persimmon’ is a variant of an Algonquin name ‘pessamin’...Read More

Pumpkins in the US are widely recognized as the classic orange-skinned winter squash with orange flesh, often used for Halloween carving and pies. However, the term “pumpkin” encompasses a diverse array of squash varieties from around the world, boasting a range of shapes, colors, and sizes. While the typical pumpkins associated with autumn are orange...Read More

Pears are among the world’s most captivating fruits, celebrated for their voluptuous contours and buttery texture. A perfectly ripe, luscious pear stands unrivaled as one of autumn’s sweetest pleasures. This ancient fruit even captured the admiration of the famous Greek poet Homer, who referred to pears as a “gift of the gods.” The Romans developed...Read More

Get ready to spice up your salsa with the zesty flavors of tomatillos! These little green gems are hitting their peak season at farmers markets, bringing a burst of tangy goodness to your kitchen. Dating back to the Aztecs, who cultivated them as far back as 800 BC in Mexico, tomatillos have a rich history...Read More

Stone fruit season has finally arrived! The market booths are filled with sweet, juicy peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots, pluots, and apriums. Did you know California grows about 90 percent of the nectarines and plums produced in the US and approximately 70 percent of all the peaches? A Bounty of Varieties With over 200 varieties of...Read More

It’s officially berry season on the central coast. Cane berries such as blackberries are a Northern California summer favorite, and among the most prized members of the blackberry family is the olallieberry. Despite its large, bumpy shape, the olallieberry’s sweet and tangy taste have garnered a near-fanatical following. The olallieberry was developed by the U.S....Read More

Rhubarb falls into the ‘love-it-or-hate-it’ category, it seems. Those of us who love it eagerly anticipate its arrival in early spring and get out the recipes for galettes, pies, coffee cakes, muffins, and jam. Though rhubarb is generally associated with pie making, it’s quite versatile. Here are some surprising facts about rhubarb that you may...Read More

In California, several varieties of beets are grown, each with its own unique flavor profile and culinary uses. Here are some common varieties and suggestions for how to use them: Red Beets: Red beets are perhaps the most common variety cultivated in California. They have a sweet, earthy flavor and a vibrant red-purple color. Red...Read More