The Fruit Company

The Fruit Company® and its orchards are beyond ecstatic about the season.  We’ve harvested Star Crimson, Bartlett, and Seckle pears so far and will look to pick Anjous and our world-famous Webster Comice pears in the coming weeks.  Around the office we’ve all taken that “first bite of the season” from this year’s crop; our excitement was justified.

For a little taste of Harvest 2012, try our Pear Medley and Apple Medley fruit boxes.  Each box features a selection of Pear and Apple varieties because you can’t get the taste of harvest without trying it all.

Or for the completists out there, try our Mixed Fruit Medley, which combines our Apples and Pears with some delectable Citrus for good measure.  One bite from one of our apples or pears and you’ll be wishing it was harvest all year long.

They may be mini, but these exotic treats are anything but miniature in taste. And one is grown right here in Oregon!

Grown only in Oregon and New Zealand, the Baby Kiwi is like a miniature kiwi (in fact they’re cousins!) without all the fuzz. In fact you can pop the whole thing in your mouth, just like a grape. The Baby Kiwi is roughly the size of a grape with a smooth green skin that often sports a reddish blush. Inside the flesh is almost identical to that of a standard kiwi—bright green with little, edible black seeds and is incredibly juicy. The flavor is a little more intense and sweet than a standard kiwi. Baby Kiwis are often considered a type of berry, and we even package them similarly, in a protective plastic clamshell container. And like a berry the Baby Kiwis have a short shelf life, remaining fresh for only about a week if kept refrigerated. In Oregon the Baby Kiwi is available from mid-September through October, and in New Zealand you can find them February through March. We recommend the best use for Baby Kiwi is to just pop them in your mouth and enjoy them fresh. However they make wonderful additions to salads, tarts, jams and other dishes where you might use a standard kiwi. They hold their flavor through cooking. The Baby Kiwis are rich in Vitamin C and potassium and are naturally fat free and low in sodium. They also offer a fair amount of fiber.

ORDER THE HARVESTCLUB EXOTICA TODAY! CLICK HERE!

Thriving in hot and humid climates, the Baby Pineapple is just like its larger counterpart except that, naturally it’s smaller and its core is tender and sweet, rather than tough and fibrous. The Baby Pineapples end up growing to a height of 5 to 7 inches, with a diameter around 4 inches. The diminutive size makes it a perfect small portion when a large pineapple is just too much. They are wonderful cut up and eaten fresh, but you can include them in any dish that you would with a regular pineapple such as in fresh fruit salads, beverages or baked goods. The skin is rough, golden, and when ripe is delightfully fragrant. The perfect pineapples are bright in color with green leaves; avoid pineapples with brown, soft spots or dry and brown leaves. They will be able to keep when refrigerated for up to ten days. To enjoy, cut off the crown of leaves and a small portion of the base and cut up the entirety of its flesh while removing the tough skin. Baby Pineapples are high in Vitamin A and C, as well as calcium, iron and potassium, making them an exceptional part of your daily nutrients.

To Find out more about the the HarvestClub Exotica Click here

The 4000 year old “Persian Apple”

Little known to many, peaches originated in China approximately 2000 B.C. The scientific name for peaches, Prunus persica, originated from an early European belief that peaches came from Persia (nowIran). In fact they were brought over on the Silk Road from Asia to the Greater Mesopotamia andMediterranean regions before Christian times.

The ancient Romans called peaches “Persian Apples” for the country that introduced the fruit to the West. The peach was brought to Americaby Spanish explorers in the 16^th century, and then to England and France in the 17^th century. Numerous Native American tribes are credited with distributing the peach tree across theUnited States, taking seeds with them and planting as they traveled through the country.

According to Chinese legend, the peach was said to be consumed by immortals for its ability to prolong life for all who ate them. The peach often is an important part of Chinese tradition and is symbolic of long life.

As well, due to its sweetness and soft texture, the ancient Chinese used “peach” as a slang word for “young bride” and in many cultures has remained as a way to define pretty young women. The terms “peachy” and “peachy keen” in English are representative of this.

Peach trees are the second most commonly cultivated fruit trees in the world, after apple trees. TodayChina,Greece,Italy and America are major producers of peaches. California, South Carolina and Georgia are the largest peach producers within theUnited States. They thrive in climates with mild, cool winters and a lot of summer heat, which help lend to the fruit’s intense sweetness.

A medium sized peach has only 35 calories, making it a perfect snack or dessert. They are also excellent sources of fiber, Vitamins A, C and E, and phytochemicals, which act as antioxidants ridding the body of free radicals and are great for one’s skin.

To order fresh Oregon Peaches Click here!

Cherry harvest, one of our favorite times of the year, is fast approaching! According to orchardists around the area, the start of harvest is expected between July 2nd and July 8th. It’s a bit later than usual due to wet conditions and cold nights, but the product is still expected to be outstanding: orchardists are predicting a larger cherry of a higher quality.

Last year’s cherries were delicious. We devoured them in June and July, and dreamt about them during the winter months. It’s always that way with cherries: we love them while they’re here, and miss them when they’re gone.

But the Cherries are coming, and we here at The Fruit Company would hate for you to miss out. That’s why we’re now taking pre-orders on www.TheFruitCompany.com for our Dark Sweet and Rainier Cherries. The cherries start shipping out July 1st, and come in two sizes: 2lb, and 3lb. For those that can’t decide between Dark Sweet and Rainier, we offer a combo box, filled with the freshest of both varieties.

While we love cherries, we also enjoy sharing them with loved ones. With all our fruit, we’d like to think that what we’re delivering goes beyond quality gourmet gifts. We’re delivering a bit of the northwest. It’s all the rain, and soil and hard work that the Northwest is famous for, and there’s no better example than our Cherries in July!

Both of these tempting beauties have super sweet white flesh that makes for a lovely summer snack. Prized for their appearance and original flavor, they’re often more expensive than their traditional counterparts.

Find the Exotica Harvest Club here!

Saucer Peaches

Also referred to as a donut peach or a Saturn peach, Saucer Peaches are squat, freestone peaches with an indentation in the middle that suggests the shape of a donut. The flesh is white and generally higher in sugar content than that of a yellow peach, so you get that much more sweetness per bite. The skin is a creamy yellow with red or magenta blush and is generally less fuzzy than a traditional peach.

The Saucers originated in China and were first grown in the United States sometime in the mid-1800s. They didn’t become truly popular until more recently, with adults and particularly children drawn to their small and unique appearance.

While they are smaller than a traditional peach, they can be used for fresh eating or baking just as any other peach. When ripe the peach will give just slightly to the touch, and should not have any uneven soft spots or bruising. Leave your Saucer Peaches out on the counter to ripen, and once ripe they can be kept in the refrigerator up to three days.

White Nectarines
Like the Saucer Peaches, the White Nectarines have juicy white flesh that is considerably sweeter than their standard yellow counterparts as a result of having a much lower acid content. As well, traditional yellow nectarines get sweeter as they ripen but White Nectarines as just as sweet when harvested as they are when ripened. People love the White Nectarine for its unique sweetness and of course for the lack of fuzz found on a peach. While its flesh is white or even pinkish, the center around the pit radiates a bright magenta—truly stunning when served in slices. The skin also often features bright splashes of magenta over fair-colored skin.

Despite having been in commercial production for over 30 years now, White Nectarines only recently have become a fruit that people ask for by name and their popularity grows with every season. Most of the White Nectarines grown inAmericago to overseas markets that favor sweeter stone fruit.

Ripening your White Nectarines is identical to how you’d ripen a Saucer Peach or any other peach or nectarine. They’re ripe when they give to slight pressure and there is no green color evident on the skin. If you want to speed the ripening process, place the nectarine in a paper bag and you’ll have a succulent, ripe fruit with in 1-2 days.

Find the Exotica Harvest Club here!

This just in! Summer is a great time to enjoy tasty fresh fruit! That’s right, you can celebrate fresh fruit and vegetables by adding a tasty fruit to each meal.  Whether it’s as a main course, side dish or a tasty dessert, fruit is a great part of your diet. Below are five ideas on adding tasty fruit into your day.  Enjoy!

Apple Slice Snack: A great idea for any time of year! Start the day by coring and slicing two apples. Take two Ziploc bags and put an apple into each bag.  Put them in the fridge and use as a nice cold snack during the day or grab one for your drive in the afternoon!

Cubed Tomatoes:  Yes tomatoes are fruit and the great thing about this fruit is that it goes great with most dinner dishes.  Whether you are eating Enchiladas, Spaghetti, or a tasty garden, salad cube a tomato up and serve it as a topping to any of these dishes.  The flavor and acidity of the tomato adds a great taste combination for any palate.

Fruit Salad: A great treat for breakfast or dessert is a delicious fruit salad that is simple and easy to make.  Find a small watermelon, a cantaloupe, a honeydew melon, and a carton of strawberries.  Cube the melons and slice the strawberries.  Mix them together gently in a bowl.  Quickly put them in the fridge to chill. That’s it.  Now you have a perfect summer breakfast side dish or dessert for a nice summer evening.

Frozen Blueberries: Summer is generally warm.  A great way to enjoy a nice cool treat is to freeze blueberries! Either pick or purchase enough blueberries to fill a one pound Ziploc freezer bag.  Rinse the blueberries and let them dry for about fifteen minutes. Place the blueberries in the Ziploc freezer bag and place them in your freezer.  After one day any time you want a sweet icy cool treat, grab a handful or fill a bowl and enjoy the tasty flavor.  Perfect for a summer afternoon and for kids!

Fruit Recipes: One of our favorite things to cook here at The Fruit Company is main courses that involve a strong fruit flavor.  A recent recipe that we made here and featured on our blog was a tasty Pan-Seared Pork (or Chicken) with a Pineapple-Kiwi Salsa.  This mixture of fruit and protein was a delightful main course that had a great balance between the ingredients! Try it out and see for yourself!

Recipe

Father’s Day is getting close, and what better way to celebrate the Dad in your life then with food. Summer is an exciting time for fruit with the arrival of Cherries, Peaches, Nectarines, and Plums. But don’t forget the snacks! The Fruit Company also has a wide selection of cheese gifts, crackers, sausage, smoked salmon, and more. If you are having trouble deciding which amazing gift to send, here is a helpful guide for Father’s Day gifting.

• The Sports Dad: With the World Cup starting this week our Mountain of Gifts Snack Tower might be the perfect treat. Enjoy the game while munching on fresh fruit and gourmet treats, with plenty to share with friends and family.

• The Retired Dad: There are very few things more relaxing the sitting outside in the summer sun snacking on fresh fruit and enjoying a cold drink. Try our Orchard Allure with Sparkling Pear Cider or our 3-month HarvestClub Americana with Blueberries in June, Cherries in July and Peaches in August.

• The Outdoor Dad: For the Father on the go and out in the wild, send one of our organic baskets or boxes loaded with fresh fruit and treats like dried fruit and organic trail mix.

• The New Dad: If you know someone who just became a Dad, send a Dad’s Day Basket or the Classic Plaid Tower. It’s the perfect way to say Congratulations and Happy Father’s Day!

Explore all of our Father’s Day Gifts, Gourmet Towers, and Monthly Clubs

The Fruit Company has designated every Friday as “Fruit Friday” – a time when local customers and visitors can purchase world-renowned orchard fresh fruit at favorable discounted prices.

The fruit is of higher quality than can be typically found at the grocer’s, but is available because it does not meet The Fruit Company’s extremely stringent gift grade. Excess inventories of gourmet goodies are also on hand for purchase.

On Friday, June 1st, The Fruit Company is holding a one-time Warehouse Extravaganza – to be held from 8 am to 10 am and 12 pm to 3 pm – to clear out its spring inventory. Customers may choose from decorative boxes or wicker baskets and fill them with delectable fruit and gourmet treats – all on sale.

According to Scott Webster, CEO of The Fruit Company, “This is a wonderful opportunity for the local community to come visit our gifting facility, where some of the world’s finest fruit gifts are created, and choose their favorite varieties at a very special price.”

To sweeten the offer, the first 50 customers who arrive at the warehouse, located at 2900 Van Horn Drive in Hood River, will receive a decadent box of 36 individually-wrapped Bellows Chocolate Ganache Brownies, absolutely free. Since the Ganache Brownies will be offered on a first come, first served basis, it is essential to arrive early; doors open promptly at 8 am.

Fruit Friday items are for purchase in person at the Hood River location only. Orders are not accepted and items cannot be shipped. Fruit Friday selections change from week to week. So be sure to sign up for The Fruit Company’s emails to keep in-the-know about the following Friday’s choices. To find out more about The Fruit Company visit the website at http://www.thefruitcompany.com.

About The Fruit Company:
The Fruit Company, located in the Hood River Valley of Oregon, has dedicated itself to delivering the finest orchard fresh fruit and gourmet gifts. The company heritage, spanning three generations, is focused on delivering the best-tasting, healthy items from their vast product offerings. As one of Oregon’s Top 15 growing companies and part of Internet Retailer’s Top 50 “Best of Web”, The Fruit Company continues to impress and amaze with a wide selection of gift items – for all occasions – shipped throughout the United States. Today they are one of the top gift basket companies and employ more than 200 people during their peak season. For more information on The Fruit Company’s gift selections and sustainable practices, please visit their website at http://www.thefruitcompany.com.

This refreshing and zesty salsa couldn’t be easier to make and is perfect for welcoming the warm days of summer ahead.

Ingredients

2 cups pitted, peeled, and chopped mango
3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
2/3 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions

Mix all ingredients in small bowl. Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. (Can be made up to 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill.) Garnish with sprigs of cilantro. Makes approximately 3 cups of salsa.

Click here to place your order for fresh Mangoes!