MR. GREENS "FRESH TIPS"
January 26, 2001
Our last MR. GREEN'S PUZZZZLE dealt with Valentine produce: What produce item was the original Viagra? This certainly brought a lot of response from readers. You see, many produce items, starting with the artichoke, were seen as an aphrodisiac by the ancient Romans and Greeks. They seemed to be obsessed with it. But the original "Viagra" was for both men and women. The ancient Romans would eat this produce item to "increase their virility," and they fed it to their women to "loosen their morals." What was it? The lowly...carrot. This week's PUZZZZLE deals again with Valentine produce: What produce item is related to the rose? Check out the answer right here in next week's "Fresh Tips."
FREEZE UPDATE: When Mother Nature turns a cold shoulder, you know it. With all the talk of global warming and the polar ice caps melting, someone forgot to let the weatherman know. Record cold temperatures in December and January have not only helped produce an energy crisis in California, but it has destroyed crops in America's primary winter vegetable growing region in the U.S., Florida. Is this sweet revenge from Mother Nature for the chad and voting problems in Florida? Cold, arctic air swooped into the Sunshine State, destroying up to half of the winter vegetables in some growing regions in Florida. Most growers tell us that overall, Florida lost between 35 - 40% of their winter vegetable crop which includes Bell Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Green Beans, Radishes, Squash and Tomatoes. This isn't as bad as the January, 1997 freeze in Florida which caused over $300 million in damage in 20 counties, destroying about 80% of the state's vegetable crops. Florida supplies about half of the nation's winter vegetable supply, while Mexico supplies the other half. Cold temperatures in Mexico have also disrupted growth patterns, which has meant slower growth and less product to harvest. It's a one-two punch for vegetable prices. Expect to see above normal prices for many vegetable items from Bell Peppers to Cucumbers, Corn, Eggplant, Green Beans Radishes, Squash and Tomatoes. Because of the cold stress on plants, shelf life may be marginal, as well as quality. Plants in Florida were already stressed because of near drought conditions. A lack of moisture and cold temperatures causes chapped lips on people. The lack of moisture is magnifying the quality issues from the freeze.
MELONS: Growers in many Central American countries reduced acreage this year, following financial losses the past few years. And many growers decided not to plant melons at all. That's all combining for fewer supplies of melons from Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica. These "off shore" melon growers are supplying about 80% of U.S. cantaloupes and honeydew. Because the melons have to travel by boat to U.S. ports, growers will harvest fruit with more green to the shell and less sugar levels. New technology being developed by the USDA may allow growers to harvest melons at a near ripe stage and still get to the consumer in good shape. Early studies of this "calcium application" to the melon shell, has shown that the respiration (ripening) of the fruit slows, and gives up to two weeks more shelf life to the fruit. For example, Honeydew melons, when fully mature, will have a sugar content of 12 - 15%, but growers have to pick the melons when sugar levels are around 9%. This new application would allow growers to harvest honeydew melons when they are nearly vine-ripened. This application could be used on other tropical fruits like Mangoes and Pineapples.
GILLS ONIONS: It all started with a "we can do that" from brothers Steve and David Gill when salsa giant, La Victoria, asked them to peel onions. That was in 1983. Today, Gills Onions is operating in their new, state-of-the-art facility in Oxnard. It is the largest onion processing facility in the world. And it can easily be said that Gills Onions peels, slices and dices more onions every day than anyone else on the face of the planet. Some artists work with clay. Others with marble. Gills worksÉwith onions. ItÕs an art to them. A delicate balance. A passion for perfection with an onion. Some purists believe you can't be a real chef, a real cook, without peeling onions every day. 
Julia Childs believes the onion is one of two ingredients which must be in all kitchens. She wonders how any civilization would be civilized without onions. Gills makes your kitchen even more civilized. They take the tears away, and leaves you with time to create a better recipe or plate presentation. You can get rid of the goggles or gas mask. Gills Onions has mainly processed for many of the best restaurants in the country, but soon will be putting their peeled, sliced and diced onions in your local produce department.
CLICK HERE for Mr. Green's YOUR PRODUCE MAN'S Smelly-Free Brussels Sprouts by Andrew Meblin.