Have you ever wandered through the farmers market, spotted a strange bumpy green vegetable, and thought: What on earth is that? You’re not alone. One of the most fascinating specialty crops grown by KT Farms at the Monterey Farmers Market is bitter melon — an ingredient beloved throughout Asia, India, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and...Read More

Honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, stevia — are any of them truly healthier? Here’s what nutrition experts say about sugar, artificial sweeteners, and learning to use less overall.Read More

Almonds are one of the most nutrient-dense foods at the farmers market. Learn how these California-grown nuts support heart health, provide protein, and add nutrition to everyday meals.Read More

Discover how to build better smoothies using seasonal farmers market produce, nourishing whole-food ingredients, and simple nutrition-building formulas for delicious everyday breakfasts.Read More

There may be no vegetable more refreshing than a cucumber on a warm California day. Crisp, cooling, and incredibly versatile, cucumbers have been cultivated for thousands of years and remain one of the most beloved staples of summer kitchens and farmers markets alike. Though often treated like a vegetable, cucumbers are technically a fruit —...Read More

There’s something almost magical about apricot season. Brief and intensely anticipated, apricots arrive at the farmers market like little bursts of summer sunshine — fragrant, delicate, and impossibly juicy when perfectly ripe. California has long been famous for its apricots, with orchards once stretching across much of the Santa Clara Valley and Central Coast. Today,...Read More

Glossy, dramatic, and endlessly versatile, eggplant may be one of the most misunderstood treasures of the summer farmers market. Known in Europe as aubergine, this member of the nightshade family shares its botanical roots with tomatoes and potatoes — though technically, it’s a fruit rather than a vegetable. Eggplant also carries a surprisingly colorful history....Read More

Once your ginger bug is active and bubbling, the real fun begins. This lively starter becomes the foundation for a wide range of naturally carbonated drinks—simple juices transformed into bright, effervescent sodas with just a little time and patience. The process is beautifully adaptable. You can work with whatever is in season—fresh berries, citrus, stone...Read More

There’s something quietly magical about a ginger bug. With just fresh ginger, sugar, and water, you can cultivate a living starter that transforms simple juices and herbal infusions into lively, effervescent drinks. It’s an old-fashioned method—part kitchen craft, part science experiment—and once you have one going, nearly any flavor you love can become a naturally...Read More

There’s a certain satisfaction in preserving the fleeting flavors of the farmers market — especially as spring fruit begins to arrive and herbs grow lush and fragrant. Infused vinegar is one of the simplest ways to capture that moment, transforming fresh ingredients into something bright, aromatic, and endlessly useful in the kitchen. With just a...Read More