Ethylene Table

(Usually fruits produce, and vegetables are sensitive to ethylene)

EP:Ethylene Producer

ES: Ethylene Sensitive

EN: Ethylene Neutral

Red Flame Seedless Grapes (EN) are grown by Oscar Carillo. Red Flame grapes are mild and sweet with a tart flavor. When they are ripe, the grapes darken flame to rust red color. Before storing, remove any spoiled grapes with broken skins or browning from the bunch and keep refrigerated; they should keep a week to ten days. Click Here for fun info on grapes, including frozen grape snacks.

Lapins Cherries (EN) are grown by Cascade Crest in WA .The Lapins Cherry was developed by Dr. Henry Lapins at the Summerland Research Canada station in Summerland B.C. in 1981. These are big, beautiful, dark red cherries, some of the largest, juiciest cherries that grow on trees. They are great for snacking, and so big, that one cherry makes a mouthful. Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator and if you don't plan to use them within four days, freeze them.

Blueberries (EN) are from John Nelson, an Indiana grower located near Granger. Once home, remove berries from their container and pick out any rotten or unformed berries as well as the tiny stems. Blot the rest of the fruit and place on a shallow plate covered with plastic wrap and put in cold storage. Blueberries will last up to 10 days when stored this way. (Last Saturday, Bob was at Trader Joe's and noticed their 6oz package of organic blueberries were selling for $3.99. In your box this week you're getting a 16oz package (a pint), so he feels extra good that you're getting a good value. Plus they taste great!)

Dapple Dandy Pluots (EP) are from Wild River in Marysville CA. Pluots are a hybrid of a plum and an apricot and mainly retain the characteristics of a plum. Their skin is a light reddish-yellow color with some speckling..This fruit has one of the highest Brix level readings on a refractometer, meaning that it has a very sweet taste. Keep at 65-70 degrees for the most ideal ripening conditions.

Suncrest Peaches (EP) are grown by Mas Masmoto. A large red peach with very good flavor. Suncrest is freestone, very firm, and an excellent canning variety. Store peaches on the counter at room temperature until ripe. To quicken the ripening process, place peaches in a paper bag until fully ripe. Find recipe here for Suncrest Peach and Blackberry Cobbler.

Yellow Nectarines (EP) are from Frog Hollow in California. Ripe nectarines should yield to gentle pressure along the “seam” and produce a sweet aroma. Ideally ripen at room temperature (not exceeding 78° F). Move to cold storage and eat within 1-3 days. Longer storage will diminish their juicy flavor.

Eureka Lemons (EN) are grown by Sespe Creek in Fillmore, CA. The Eureka lemon is probably the most widely grown lemon variety in the world. It is a true ‘bitter’ lemon with a high juice and acid content. With correct plant nutrition, fruit should be thin-skinned and virtually seedless. Fruit tends to be borne in terminal clusters. Lemons will keep on the counter at room temperature for a maximum of two weeks, depending on the temperature and humidity, and will keep in the refrigerator in plastic bags for up to six weeks. See 2006 Week 2 Fruit Newsletter for lemon ideas. Lora made these preserved lemons in 2006. I remember sharing a lunch with her last year. She "threw" together a salad of cucumbers, mint, feta, and chopped preserved lemon. It was beyond yummers! We tried to cull out bad lemons but may have missed a few. We're checking with Rick, our fruit buyer, and expect to make up for these in a future box.