At the Farmers Market: Citrus Season

The winter season has not only ushered in cooler temperatures, but also marks the official start of citrus season. Contrary to what most people think, the bulk of oranges, lemons and grapefruits are harvested in winter and early spring in Southern California.

Last Saturday, the unmistakable citrus colors of yellow, orange, red and green greeted market goers. Arnett Farms, a fruit grower based in Fresno, specializes in citrus, and undoubtedly had the most bountiful harvest of the vitamin-C rich fruits.

Oranges

In the fruit-growing business for over 100 years, Arnett Farms had quite a selection of oranges in the $2 to $2.50 per pound price range.

Miguel Balderas, an Arnett Farms employee, singled out the blood oranges as a popular variety, due to their intense orange taste with hints of raspberry. Blood oranges are known for their red to deep maroon interior and thin skin. “They have very few seeds or are almost seedless,” Balderas said.

Arnett Farms also had navel oranges, which are seedless and widely considered the world’s finest for eating. Cara cara oranges, those exceptionally sweet oranges with a pinkish-red interior, were also available.

These oranges make wonderful additions or toppings to salads, cereals, yoghurt, pancakes, waffles, grilled meat or poultry.

Grapefruits

Grapefruits were also in demand, according to Balderas. Widely available from January to June, there were three varieties of the largest citrus fruit: oro blanco, red and pomelo.

Oro blancos are a cross between a white grapefruit and an acidless pomelo. Their bright green exterior can easily identify them. This grapefruit variety is popular due to its sweet flavor.

Popular during Chinese New Year, the pomelo or Chinese grapefruit is known for its mild taste and aromatic scent. Red grapefruit, on the other hand, is good for making juice.

High in dietary fiber, the grapefruit got its name from the way it grows on tress, like grapes. Most grapefruits go well with avocados and green salads. When buying, Balderas suggested, “Look for the ones that are firm, smooth and are heavy for their size.”

Tangerines

Three varieties of tangerines were also abundant at the Arnett Farms stall: clementines, tangelos and mandarins. They are smaller than oranges and easier to peel.

Marketed in the U.S. as “cuties”, clementines are widely popular and make great on-the-go snacks, according to Balderas. First grown in Algeria, this seedless hybrid variety was introduced in California in the early 1900s.

Another hybrid, the tangelos are steadily gaining a following at the farmers market. A cross between a grapefruit and a tangerine, tangelos are known for their juicy and mildly sweet flavor.

More complex and sweeter than the first two varieties were the mandarins. Both the tangelos and mandarins add an exotic taste to salads, desserts and entrees.

All tangerine varieties were being sold for $2.50 a pound.

Lemons

With oranges, grapefruits and tangerines around, lemons cannot be far behind.

For $2.00 a pound, market goers had a choice between the Meyer and Lisbon lemons. Meyers are sweeter, less acidic and more fragrant. Named after Frank Meyer, the gentleman who discovered it in 1908, this lemon variety is actually a lemon-orange mix. Lisbons are generally more sour than Meyers.

These versatile fruits are rich in vitamin C, potassium and folic acid. Lemon zest can be added to cakes, pastries, salads and drinking water. Placed inside glass bowls or vases, they make wonderful decorations or table centerpieces. 

Buying tip from Balderas: select lemons that are bright yellow in color, shiny and plump. Heavy, thin-skinned lemons contain the most juice.

is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday at 23504 Calabasas Road, across the street from the .