MANDARIN SEASON

 We tried to keep persimmons on the table for sale last week. But to be honest, their season is past, no more firm, crisp persimmons  until October and November.  For those of you who need pulp, there is a supply of frozen persimmon pulp in our freezer.

Moving on with the seasons, it is time for citrus. We started with Satsuma mandarins. Just what the doctor ordered for natural vitamin C.  We are also getting navel oranges from Pleasant Hill Farm in Lincoln, CA and Meyer lemons from Lupi Farm in Granite Bay.

There are just a few late hoshigaki still hanging on the rack.  Many are still being processed.  We will have a good supply for spring and summer. We encourage people to continue to purchase and mail order them while the weather is cool.

Out in the orchard, trees are getting their winter pruning, mulch is being spread between the rows, and weeds are being pulled up under the grapes.  Part of the orchard is still asleep and other parts are starting to wake up.  Warm weather can be a problem since many varieties have not had their required chill hours for desired bud formations.

HOURS:

Tues through Sat   10 am to 6 pm

Sun.                       11 am to 5 pm

Closed on Mondays

Here is what we have at the Farm Stand from Otow Orchard:

Asian Pears:  Okusankichi:  Generally large, mildly sweet winter Asian pear. Crisp, juicy and refreshing.

Pomegranates: White and Red

Hachiya persimmon pulp:   Frozen.  Used for  fresh eating and baking.  These are the persimmons that are often referred to as "food of the gods".  Great in smoothies and on cereal or yogurt.

Quince: Usually only eaten when cooked and sweetener added.  Quince contain pectin and is used for jams, jellies, candy, and paste. Fragrant and flavorful.

Hoshigaki:  Dried persimmons with naturally formed dusting of fruit sugars on the surface.

Satsuma mandarins: Easy to peel, sweet and juicy with great flavor.

Bee pollen from bees at Otow Orchard

Calendula Salve and Lip Balm

Winter squash:  Kabocha

Walnuts

Pecans

Here is what we have from other producers:

Pleasant Hill Farm in Lincoln: Satsuma mandarins and Navel oranges

Lupi Farm in Granite Bay: Meyer lemons are deep yellow with fragrant thin skin.  They are sweeter than common lemons. Used to brighten water, tea, poultry dishes and vegetables.  The rind is also used in food preparation .

Top O' the Hill Apiary in Granite Bay:  Comb honey can be used in tea, coffee, yogurt, oatmeal, ice cream, fruit salads and on toast or bagels.  Top of the Hill Apiary also has Bees wax.

Nastase Honey Farm in Lincoln:  This Honey is unfiltered and raw.  It is light and so delicious.

Two Feather Farm in Granite Bay:  Eggs (limited supply).

Jams from the Good Stuff. We currently have Plum (Santa Rosa), Peach Cardamon, Chili Apricot, Pepper Pomegranate, Fig Orange Brandy, and Chili Blackberry.

 

NOW IT IS 2021

Here we go, 2021.  What will it bring us?  

Here on the farm we have begun winter pruning.  When it is wet we focus on persimmons because they are less susceptible to disease.  When we get a dry spell we can focus on stone fruit, such as peaches and plums.  Soon I will have to pull out my boxes of seeds and take inventory, then I'll study seed catalogues and the internet for the seeds I want.

The hoshigaki process continues.  One by one the remaining pieces are checked for dryness before heading to the freezer for stabilizing.  We had a long peeling and drying season and will have a good supply of hoshigaki in the coming months. Hopefully into the summer.  We continue to sell and accept orders for hoshigaki.  You can walk up to the farm stand to make your purchase.  If you will be purchasing more than 5 pounds we would appreciate a call or email ahead of time.  We continue to accept mail orders for hoshigaki.  Please go to the mail order link and send us your order form and check.  Tuesday through Sunday you can call us at (916) 791-1656 or email us at  otoworchard @yahoo.com.

    In the farm stand we have Asian pears, pomegranates and quince.  There are a few fresh persimmons.  At this point, none are hard and crisp.  They are are all very tender. 

        It is mandarin season.  They are just what the doctor ordered for natural vitamin C.  Tudsberry Orchard is bringing us 10 pound bags of sweet juicy mandarins.  We have a limited supply of red mandarins from Lincoln.  And soon we will be selling our own mandarins.  Come get a few pounds or pick up a bag.

 

HOURS:

Tues through Sat   10 am to 6 pm

Sun.                       11 am to 5 pm

Closed on Mondays

Here is what we have at the Farm Stand from Otow Orchard:

Asian Pears:  Okusankichi:  Generally large, mildly sweet winter Asian pear. Crisp, juicy and refreshing.

Pomegranates: White, Pink, and Red

Persimmons: Now at the end of their season, they are sweet soft and juicy. (limited supply)  

Hachiya persimmon pulp:   Frozen.  Used for  fresh eating and baking.  These are the persimmons that are often referred to as "food of the gods".  Great in smoothies and on cereal or yogurt.

Quince: Usually only eaten when cooked and sweetener added.  Quince contain pectin and is used for jams, jellies, candy, and paste. Fragrant and flavorful.

Hoshigaki:  Dried persimmons with naturally formed dusting of fruit sugars on the surface.

Satsuma mandarins: Sweet and juicy with great flavor.

Bee pollen from bees at Otow Orchard

Calendula Salve and Lip Balm

Winter squash:  Kabocha

Here is what we have from other producers:

Tudsberry Orchards in Loomis:  Sweet and Juicy Satsuma mandarins by the bag.

Pleasant Hill Farm in Lincoln:  red and yellow Satsuma mandarins (Limited supply).

Top O' the Hill Apiary in Granite Bay:  Comb honey,  Bees wax

Nastase Honey Farm in Lincoln:  Honey

Two Feather Farm in Granite Bay:  Eggs (limited supply).

Jams from the Good Stuff. We currently have Plum (Santa Rosa), Peach Cardamon, Chili Apricot, Pepper Pomegranate, Fig Orange Brandy, Chili Blackberry, and Quince Marmalade