Comparing Oranges and Oranges

[rp2813]

Just recently I buzzed over to Tuesday Morning to buy a professional type of hand juicer for citrus, the kind with the dome that comes down and squashes the halved orange using a long lever to maximize pressure.

That was the easy part. Ever since I bought this item, I haven't been able to find juice oranges in any grocery store. They all have Navel organges, but nobody seems to carry Valencias anymore. What's up with that? Could this be related to the recent Florida freeze? Even the Mexican supermarket that I was so sure would have what I wanted only had Navels.

Is anyone else encountering this issue?

 

[jeffg]

Ralph, I forget where in the Bay Area you are, but have you tried Whole Foods, Berkeley Bowl, Trader Joe's or local farmer's markets?

They *are* out of season, so you may just have to wait to find them (or buy mail order at ridiculous prices).

 

[rp2813]

I haven't tried Whole Foods yet. I know that on some produce they are often competitively priced, so I'll check there. TJ's isn't something I had considered, but they're nearby so will also give them a try. Berkeley Bowl, yeah, they'd have them if anyone did, but not worth negotiating the Nasty Nimitz just for that.

 

[danemodsandy]

Mon Dieu!

It's a sad day when you can't get proper oranges in California.

 

[sudsmaster]

Ralph,

Valencias are not in season right now. They are a spring/summer crop.

That could be the reason.

 

[rp2813]

Well, that could definitely be the reason then. Looks like I'll have to go with Navel for the time being. It's weird because my experience with citrus has been that while they may have a "season" they often produce off-season as well. The Navel tree we had at the other house was all over the place in that regard. The kumquat was a little more consistent, and regrettably, far too prolific.

And yeah, I know, a dearth of oranges in California of all places.

I got lemons to beat the band on the tree right now. I'm just not interested in lemonade yet, although the current warm weather is on the cusp of inviting it. I gave a bunch of them away to a friend whose wife is Chinese. Just in time for New Years and she really appreciated them.

 

[sudsmaster]

Well, I still have valencia oranges on my tree, but they sort of went off sometime in the fall. They get thicker and thicker skin and dry out inside. At their prime in the spring/summer, very juicy.

The navels are doing well here right now in my back yard. I think global warming has helped, as well as not discontinuing the drip watering system in the winter. This spell of warm weather should either sweeten them up even more, or dry them out. Time will tell.

There might be some juice oranges available at specialty markets. The one I know the best is the Monterey Market on Gilman (or is it Marin?) Street in Berkeley. It has (or used to have) one of those juice machines that loaded whole oranges from a hopper and spit out fresh juice on command. They always seemed to have plenty of juice oranges for sale, as well. You could also check with the Mexican groceries in your area. Maybe it's spring in Mexico right now ;-).

 

[lotsosudz]

Farmers Markets are the place to find those "hard to find" produce. I know the one I go to in Sacramento, had Blood Oranges, which are very tasty, and very juicy, as well as some other juice variety. Keep your eyes open, as markets don't always consistently carry products like they used to. Happy hunting.
David

 

[rp2813]

Yeah, it strikes me as strange anymore that various types of produce even have a "season" since we get so much stuff from Chile and elsewhere in the southern hemisphere to fill in the gaps on this side of the equator.

I used the Navels from the tree at the other house to make juice, but prefer Valencias. Navels are cheap right now so I'll go get me some and start making fresh juice each morning. One of the post-stroke medications that Dave is on suggests a glass of orange juice or a banana each day, so that's why I picked up the juicer.