MR. GREENS "FRESH TIPS"
December 8, 2000
Our last MR. GREEN'S PUZZZZLE dealt with Citrus: Where did the word "Tangerine" come from? As with many other produce items, the place in which they come from gives a clue. For example, the Cantaloupe was first cultivated behind the walls of the monks in Cantalupo, Italy. Romaine lettuce was named after the Romans. Brussels Sprouts were named for Brussels, Belgium. Tangerine comes from the ancient Moroccan port of Tangiers. Well, since we've looked at the word "Tangerine," let's look at the Tangelo. This week's PUZZZZLE still deals with winter citrus: Where did the word "Tangelo" come from? See the answer in next week's "Fresh Tips."
AVOCADOS: After our discussion of domestic and imported Avocados last week, a good question came in concerning the restrictions placed on Mexican fruit compared to Chilean or New Zealand fruit: Why is there no similar restriction on Chilean imports, which ships higher quality avocados? Here's the simple answer: Pests! Tiny pests like the Mediterranean Fruit Fly are big problems for California growers and the $25 billion agriculture industry. Mexico, because of their environment (tropical, moist, warm, etc), has heavy populations of pests like the Mediterranean Fruit Fly.
This fly does not necessarily cause damage to trees or fruit, but if the Medfly were to infest California crops, it doesn't just affect Avocados, but citrus and many others. This would all but ruin California's export business around the world, particularly to the Pacific Rim. Medfly infested growing regions are very limited in export activity. The reason Mexican avocados can sell in 19 northeast states is because citrus and avocados are not grown there. And during the months the fruit is allowed in (Nov - Feb), it is usually way too cold in the northeast for the Medfly to survive. 
Now, as for Chilean fruit, you have to consider Chile as an "island," at least geographically. Take a look at it in an atlas. In the northern part of Chile is the hottest dessert in the world. In the south, Antarctica. To the east is the Andes mountain range. And to the west, the Pacific Ocean. These natural geographical barriers prevent many pests from ever entering the country. 
There are pests that are common, even in growing regions of the U.S., which have never been seen in Chile. It is geographically isolated. That is one reason growers there are able to use far less pesticides than even California growers. Chile only grows about 130 million pounds of Avocados a year, while Mexico produces close to 1.5 billion pounds a year. There has been pressure to allow Mexican fruit into other regions of the United States.
OK, for all you millennium purists, according to official keepers of the time, the real 21st Century, the real new millennium actually begins next year, Jan. 1, 2001. So to help you with your real new millennium menu for this once-in-a-lifetime event, here are some new...and some old ideas:
- Use Broccolini as a main vegetable. It's the latest, hottest and newest vegetable created.
- Plan a menu based on "Getting Back to Our Roots." Use a lot of root vegetables like Parsnips, Turnips, Rutabagas, Carrots, and Potatoes like the Yukon Gold or the Purple.
- Use Portabella Mushrooms as an appetizer. These are the hottest mushroom growing.
- Plan a menu using the Healthiest fruit and vegetable grown on earth: Kiwifruit and Sweet Potatoes.
- Use Old World vegetables or fruits that date back to the last millennium, Artichokes, Mushrooms, Onions and Berries.
- Use the vegetables that fed the ancient Pharaohs of Egypt, hard winter squash.
- Be sure to use plenty of Pineapple From one millennium to another, it still is the universal symbol of friendship.
TRANSPORTATION: With the holidays upon us, air transportation space becomes very tight and at premium prices. Most air space is now being taken up with people, packages and mail, which have a higher priority than fresh produce. This will affect imported items like berries, asparagus, baby vegetables, and herbs from countries like Chile, New Zealand, Costa Rica and Israel. Increased transportation costs will mean increased product prices, especially during the heavy demand season of the holidays.
CLICK HERE for Mr. Green's Original Guacamole recipe.