New citrus varieties capturing attention at farmers markets
CONCORD, CA (Jan. 25, 2022) — California is synonymous with citrus and has a long history of developing new varieties to satisfy customer needs.
With a strong market for oranges, tangerines and grapefruit, farmers are continually working to create new and delicious hybrids for your table.
Older varieties are deeply rooted in the growing history of California and continue to be popular with customers, outliving market trends. Varieties that have been best sellers for many years include navel oranges, Satsuma mandarins, Lisbon lemons and Oro Blanco grapefruit.
In Riverside, the historical center for growing citrus, UC Riverside has amassed a Citrus Variety Collection from many local and global sources. Beginning in 1910, the Citrus Experiment Station and U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers initiated the collection in an effort to collect as many varieties as possible. Their goal is to conserve old and new varieties of citrus, collect and maintain the genetic material of all citrus and to spread the word about the diversity of this delicious plant family. The collection is now part of the UC Riverside campus and considered an historical site.
Varieties
We’d like to spread the word about citrus as well. Some of the new and tasty citrus coming down the pipeline and into your farmers market this winter ranges from mandarins to grapefruit, lemons to oranges. Many of these varieties cannot be found elsewhere.
Mandarins: California mandarins have grown in popularity with their sweet, slightly less acidic flavor and unique, easy-peel rind. By the way, tangerines are hybrids of the original mandarin orange. There are new Page, Murcott, Dancy, Tango, Okitzu, seedless Daisy and Shasta Gold varieties, all with varying sweetness.
Tangelos/Minneolas: Tangelo oranges are a cross between a Dancy tangerine and a Duncan grapefruit. The “lo” part of tangelo comes from pomelo, the fruit from which grapefruit originated. Confused yet? They’re also known as Minneola oranges and Honeybells.
Blood oranges: Late-season navel blood oranges are a fairly new variety, mostly grown in California. They’re designed to extend the season through the spring months. They’re also called raspberry oranges, because the blood orange name was found to be rather off-putting. This orange has a fruity, raspberry-citrus flavor.
Navel oranges: Several varieties are appearing, such as the Atwood, derived from the Washington navel; pink Cara Cara navel oranges; the Late Lane variety, also from the Washington navel but late season; and the old Valencia variety, used mostly for juicing.
Grapefruit: This cross between a sweet orange and a pomelo comes in more than 20 varieties nationwide. The varieties grown in California are mostly the Oro Blanco, a sweet, juicy and seedless variety, and the Star Ruby, prized for its beautiful, deep red color and sweet-tart flavor.
Pomelos: The Chandler, or pink, pomelo is an exceptionally large fruit with a yellow to yellow-pink rind. Its light to dark pink, juicy flesh is mostly sweet but slightly tart. There are also varieties with a greenish skin and yellow flesh called Melogold, which is a cross between a grapefruit and a pomelo.
Lemons: The favorite specialty lemon in California is the Meyer, with a subtly sweet, mellow flavor. It’s a cross between a mandarin orange and a standard lemon. The standard lemons are Lisbon and Eureka varieties, more tart and great for zesting.
Look for new and delicious varieties of winter citrus at your local farmers market, where you’ll find the best, just-picked citrus from local farms. Diaz Farms from Fowler has Tango and Satsuma mandarins, navel Washington Tres oranges, Cara Cara oranges and big pink pomelos. J&J Ramos Farms out of Hughson has mandarins like the popular Golden Nugget, Shasta Gold and Page. They also offer several orange varieties like Cara Cara, Lane Late and Valencia.
Stop by the Concord Farmers Market and get a taste of California’s fresh citrus.
Celery and Orange Salad
1 full celery stalk, plus all stalks with leaves from the celery center, sliced
2-3 orange varieties, peeled and sliced into rounds
3 full slices of red onion, 1/8-inch thick
½ c. walnuts, chopped and toasted
Salt and pepper
1 T extra-virgin olive oil
1 T grapefruit juice
Place the celery, oranges, onions and walnuts in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Dress with grapefruit juice and olive oil. Toss and serve.
The Concord Farmers Market is in Todos Santos Plaza Tuesdays.