Many crops are sensitive to weather extremes — read on for some of the current challenges affecting California growers.

Have you ever noticed when you buy a bag of cherries at the store they are typically all a uniform size? Cherry growers want to make sure the consumer is buying only the highest quality cherry so the cherries go through a machine before being packed to determine the size and quality of the cherry. Cherries have the same size pit regardless of the size of the cherry. The larger the cherry the more flesh on the fruit which demands a premium price.

California Stone Fruit season kicks off with sublime Tioga Cherries from Fruit World.

Ume Japanese plums are not for eating raw out of hand, as they are very astringent. Ume need to be processed before they can be eaten. How it tastes depends on how you prefer to enjoy it. Ume is commonly used to make salty and sour pickled plums called Umeboshi or plum alcohol called Umeshu.

Spring onions have crisp green leaves and firm white or red bulbs. This mild tasting onion is its own unique variety.  They can be grown year round but they are usually highlighted during the spring.  Now is a great time to try them when some of the storage onions are almost finished and we are waiting for the new fresh crop. 

Formosa Papayas are a large variety with pretty orange flesh, a mild flavor and light fragrant aroma. Papayas contain the super enzyme papain which helps break down protein, aids in digestion and detoxifies the body. Read on to learn how to cut and enjoy papayas, more health benefits and storage and ripening tips.

The Alexander Lucas pear when ripe, has buttery soft flesh, and is smooth and extremely juicy with a sweet delicate flavor. Pears are harvested when they are mature, but not yet ripe. Pears ripen from the inside out and are ready to eat when they give to slight pressure at the neck.

Covilli’s lime growers are located in two states in Mexico—Veracruz and Yucatán—and both are family-owned operations. Covilli reminds retailers and customers that the juiciest, ready-to-enjoy limes are typically a bit yellow and have some give to the touch.

Storage onions are almost done and we are looking to imports to finish out the season. Onions will be very tight for April, and we will see gaps on red and white onions. It is uncertain to when onions from Mexico will be available. Storage yellow and sweet onions continue out of the Pacific Northwest a little longer. California will start up with new crop onions in May.