NOVEMBER 20, 2021: HOSHIGAKI UPDATE

It is proving to be a very challenging hoshigaki season. The early ones dried well but are small. Many peeled after the heavy rains dropped off their calyx. Lack of personel is another blow. We can no longer promise Otow Orchard Hoshigaki. We are no longer taking new orders. We will try very hard to fill existing orders and requests. As in times past, we may need to ask people to modify their orders. We will know more as the season progresses.

WIND AND RAIN

Fall weather  is definitely here.  Leaves suddenly changed from green to brilliant orange.  With the predicted wind rain and cool temps the leaves will quickly fall away.  Over the weekend, people enjoyed walking in the orchard.

      We are so thankful for the wet weather.  The earth  is so thirsty.  As a result of the rain we have many split pomegranates, and Hachiya  persimmons. The Fuyu persimmons are starting to show black lines, and the apples are cracking.  We are on high alert to prevent mold on the hoshigaki. Nonetheless we are thankful for the moisture.  Such is the challenge of farming. 

      With the cooler weather the summer vegetables have disappeared.  We are only harvesting a few winter squash.  Also WoodRose Country Garden has finished for now.

       In the foothills mandarins are coloring and early ones are being harvested.  We are getting a supply of mandarins from Pleasant Hill Farm in Lincoln, a conventional farm.

HOURS:

Tues. through Sat.      10:00  am to 6:00 pm           

 

          Sunday         11 am to 5 pm

Closed on Mondays

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

Brown Asian Pears: Shinko,  Okusankichi, and Olympic.  These pears are sweet, juicy, and crisp

European pear: 🍐Comice

Apples:  🍏 Granny Smith, 🍎 Fuji, and 🍎Pink Lady

Quince: Yellow fruit in the pear/apple family.  Seldom eaten raw.  It can be baked like apples or sauced like apples. High in pectin, they are often used for jelly and Dulce de Membrillo (Quince candy).  Naturally sour but full of aroma and flavor, can be added to stews.

White Pomegranates:  These light skinned pomegranates have sweet pink arils.

Red Pomegranates:  These pomegranates have dark red arils that  are sweet and tangy. A brilliant taste.     

A bird enjoyed this one.

Persimmons:

Hachiya and Gyombo :   These persimmons must be very soft to be enjoyed.  They are sweet and succulent.  They can be eaten out of hand, added to cereal, yogurt, or smoothies. These are used in baking  cookies, breads, and puddings. 

Chocolate Persimmons:  Maru, Nagamaru (tsurunoko, chocolate), and Hyakume arebrown fleshed persimmons that can be eaten hard or softening.  If they are successfully pollinated in the spring they will turn brown fleshed and sweet.

Fuyu:  These popular yellow fleshed persimmons are always sweet.  Normally enjoyed when they are hard and firm.

Vodka Persimmons:  These are brown or orange fleshed persimmons treated with Vodka to insure sweetness. 

Hoshigaki:  Tender and moist dried persimmons with naturally formed dusting of fruit sugars on the surface.  These were hand massaged and  dried slowly for 4 to 8 weeks.

Vegetables:    Limited supply of: Summer squash, chilies, and tomatillos.  Winter squash: Butternut, Black Futsu and Kabocha.

Honey 🍯 from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard.

Bee pollen from bees 🐝 at Otow Orchard

⚘ Calendula Salve and Lip Balm

Here is what we have from other producers:

Sunnyslope Farm:  Granny Smith Apples

Pleasant Hill Farm in Lincoln: Satsuma Mandarins

Top O' the Hill Apiary in Granite Bay: Honey.  Top of the Hill Apiary also has Bees wax 🐝.

Two Feather Farm:  🐔🥚  Eggs.  Egg production is slowing down. 

Jams 🍑 from the Good Stuff. We currently have Plum, Peach Cardamon, Chili Apricot, Fig Brandy, Pepper Pomegranate, and Quince Marmalade.

Royal Oaks Farm:  Luffa Soap:  Hand made and great for scrubbing and exfoliating your skin. Lavendar, eucalyptus, and cucumber melon fragrances.