2011 January | Fruit Company Gifts

Organic Fruit and Food Trends

Organic Fruits and Vegetables There has been a shift in where people are buying their produce in recent years, according to a study by the TABS group, a consumer products consultancy firm. Though the number of people buying produce has generally stayed the same, the firm found that 38.6% of consumers bought produce from more traditional markets as opposed to supermarkets like Wal-Mart and Trader Joe’s.

The most popular products are fresh fruits, followed by vegetables, eggs and milk.

Kurt Jetta, president of the TABS group, said that there is no evidence suggesting that those buying organic products are buying a higher volume.

A separate study from the Organic Trade Association suggests that sales for products have grown by 5% in 2009, an increase of $26.6 billion.

“People are looking for chemical-free foods,” said T. Hephner, founder of Healthy U Snacks, a company that has furnished 52 Chicago-area locations with vending machines full of natural snacks.

Natural food companies are also reporting an uptick in sales, especially from vending machines.

Whether people are buying their produce from wending machines or local stores, data suggests that there is an increase in awareness regarding organic produce. The demand for produce may be on the rise, especially as environmentalism becomes more popular.

With green living on the rise, more and more people are looking for ways to join in the effort and increase their eco-friendly impact. The use of organic produce is a great alternative to commercially produced foods.

Homemade Valentines Gifts

Treat her to a homemade hot fruit foot soak! Make her favorite tea for relaxing and ask that she just sit back and enjoy an exhilarating foot soak – after the soak make sure to add in a massage…she’ll love you for it! Homemade fruit foot soak
Ingredients:
2 cups papaya chunks
2 cups pineapple chunks
2 cups whole milk
Directions:
In a blender, dump both papaya and pineapple, puree on high speed for a minute. Then when she is sipping her tea and the time is right, heat up the milk until steaming. Make sure the milk cools a little, and then add together the puree and milk in a bowl big enough for her feet. Soak feet for 20 minutes and clean with a warm towel.
Another great homemade gift is Homemade Sugar Scrub:
1 cup white sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
Oil from 1 vitamin E capsule
2 drops of lavender essential oil
1 16oz. glass container
Combine and stir well. With spatula, put in container and dress with a bow!

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Chocolate Covered America!

Believe it or not...Chocolate-covered bacon is sold as a specialized food across the United States. The idea made an appearance at the Minnesota State Fair using the name, "Pig Lickers" and was sold at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk in California and under the name "Pig Candy" by a chocolate maker in New York City. Why is America recently so attracted to these oldes but not so goodies again?

Here are just a few things you can find at your local fair:

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Chocolate covered potato chips
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Deep fried and then chocolate covered Twinkies

Chocolate covered key lime pie on a stick

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Deep fried snickers
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We all know these foods are horrible for us but somehow, some way, these fair food vendors are making a killing!

Now, let’s get a a little more into the norm and check out this recipe for chocolate covered strawberries…just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries


Ingredients:

3/4 cup chocolate chips (half a bag) or melting bark
1/4 cup white chocolate chips
**if needed, 1 tablespoon of shortening
1 pound strawberries with stem, washed and dried

Directions:

Put both kinds of chocolate in two individual microwavable bowls.  Heat up each one in the microwave oven on increments for thirty seconds  - mixing right after each time until melted and smooth.  Should for some reason your chocolate is just not getting smooth, put in a tablespoon of shortening to it and then stir.

Hold each strawberry from the stem and dip it in either type of chocolate twisting it until finally it's completed covered.  Set the strawberries upon parchment or wax paper to set.  Then take a fork and dip it in the opposite kind of chocolate and drizzle it on the chocolate covered strawberries.  If you discover the dipping chocolate is hardening, simply reheat in the microwave for thirty seconds and stir.  Permit the strawberries to fully set up, approx. 30 minutes in the refrigerator.  Enjoy!

 And for those of you that still have the hankering for chocolate covered bacon you can actually buy this online for $7.50 per bar, just type in Mo’s Bacon Bar for more info. Personally, I'm going to order my chocolate covered fruit here!

Winter Seasonal Fruit

The winter is definitely the time the majority of citrus fruits tend to be their sweetest as well as juiciest. Check for these types of cold weather fruits at farmers' markets and in your local grocery store to get the finest flavor and the best fruit for your dollar:

Clementines tend to be smaller but a little sweeter of the oranges – showing up in markets December through the winter.
Grapefruits grow in the warmest states but during the colder months – staying juicy usually from winter to the early part of summer
Kiwis grow on vines and are picked the winter season throughout spring.
Kumquats are the hardiest of citrus and the smallest – able to withstand freezing temperatures
Lemons have a tendency to be at their finest during winter and springtime.
Mandarins really are nice and succulent in winter.
Meyer Lemons tend to be more seasonal compared to its counterpart. December or January through May. One thing to be aware of when looking to buy these lemons from far away locations…their very thin skins make it more difficult to transport and store.
Oranges are in season during the winter as well…just in time for cold and flu season…Mother Nature knew what she was doing when it came down to citrus!
Pears have a season which extends through mid-summer well into winter, based upon the actual variety and region.
Persimmons tend to be accessible for a brief window in the fall and early winter
Pommelos possess really thick skins that protect a sweet grapefruit-like yellow-colored citrus that can easily be so light it’s almost white.
Satsumas have loose skins along with a super-sweet tangerine taste. Start looking for them beginning in November and into January.
Tangerines of all kinds are in season during some point over the winter – from November through March.

A three course seasonal meal might go something like this: Brie cheese and freshly sliced pears with litely toasted artisan bread for starters. Pork tenderloin marinated in a thick citrus sauce with rosemary. And finish it all up with a kiwi fruit tart! For the wine try a Pinot Blanc or even a champagne ! There's a combo of winter and summer within this menu. Bon Appétit!