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
Did you know the Monterey Bay area is the second largest producer of mushrooms in the US and third in the world? Pennsylvania, where mushroom farming was pioneered, ranks first in the US for mushroom production. The Chinese learned mushroom farming in Pennsylvania for shiitake production and are the number one producer in the world....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 has arrived is the warm orange glow of persimmons lighting up many stalls at the farmers market. This deep red-orange radiance comes from persimmons—known in much of the world as kaki (a Japanese word pronounced kah-kee). The name persimmon comes from “pessamin,” an Algonquin term for the native North American...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
Eggplant, also known as aubergine, is a member of the nightshade family, sharing its botanical lineage with tomatoes and potatoes. This strikingly diverse fruit—often mistaken for a vegetable—carries a long and fascinating history. In the 1600s, eggplants were called mala insane or “mad apples,” reflecting the belief that eating them might cause insanity. While those...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
Few fruits capture the essence of summer quite like blueberries. Sweet, juicy, and vibrant, these little gems are as nutritious as they are delicious. Whether you enjoy them fresh by the handful, baked into pies, or blended into smoothies, blueberries bring both flavor and health benefits to the table. Farmers markets are one of the...Read More
Throughout history, cabbage has been far more than a kitchen staple — it has played surprising roles across cultures. From ancient Egyptian Pharaohs to famed explorer Captain Cook, its uses have ranged from hangover remedies to wound dressings. And while the whimsical myth of babies sprouting from cabbage patches endures, this cruciferous vegetable remains a...Read More
