MR. GREENS "FRESH TIPS"
August 3, 2001
Our last PRODUCE MAN PUZZZZLE dealt with summer fruit: What is the oldest deciduous fruit tree in California? I call this fruit one of the "Mission Fruits," brought to California by the Spanish missionaries and monks, along with their Figs and Grapes. The first fruits sold on the San Francisco market was this fruit, grown at Mission Santa Clara. As pioneers made their way westward, they met with tremendous obstacles. After crossing the Sierra Nevada and making their way across the great valley, they were met at these missions with a bowl of this fruit and cream. The oldest deciduous fruit tree in California, the first fruit sold on the San Francisco market, and the fruit that greeted weary pioneers at the missions…was the pear. This week's PUZZZZLE still deals with summer tomatoes: What makes a tomato an "Heirloom Tomato?" See next week's "Fresh Tips" for the answer.
— ASPARAGUS: During this time of year, we generally will see the main supplies coming in from Mexico and airfreighted in from the Southern Hemisphere. Over the past few years, imports have greatly increased from Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Peru. In fact, Peru is the largest exporter of Asparagus to the United States, behind Mexico. Peru, just in the past three years, have more than doubled their exports to the United States. Peru can also send product to Europe, but the European dollar and economy are very weak right now, which means Peruvian growers may choose to limit exports to Europe in favor of increasing exports to the United States which has a stronger dollar. Have you heard of Rutin? It is a bioflavonoid, and you can find the highest natural concentration of Rutin in Asparagus. This bioflavonoid helps create a simple path in making red blood cells. Cyclists and aerobic athletes would especially benefit, because the rejuvenation of red blood cells would help increase performance.
—
MUSHROOMS: They
are low in calories, high in flavor, but not much nutrition, right? Wrong.
New studies show that mushrooms really do have important health
benefits. Doctors at the City of Hope cancer research center say that
naturally occurring chemicals found in the white button mushrooms may help
slow the growth of breast cancer cells. Health studies show that mushrooms
are a good source of potassium,
riboflavin and selenium.
Selenium is known to help reduce prostate cancer. Most people used to get
their selenium from meat, but with more and more consumers eating less and
less red meat, they are not getting the natural selenium they once did.
Well, mushrooms are by far the best source of selenium in the produce department.
Mushrooms may grow in the dark, but their health benefits are finally coming
to light. — AVOCADOS: We are on the downhill side of supplies of California Hass Avocados. Already, supplies of Chilean Hass have been coming in, but only in small amounts. Imports will increase in September. Oil content for California fruit is at its highest levels of the year, which makes them full of great flavor. Early Chilean fruit will definitely have less oil content, which not only means they will have less flavor, but they will take longer to ripen and will be more susceptible to chill damage from cold temperatures.
