Purslane is a fast-growing herbaceous annual with thick, fleshy oval leaves. The nutty, tangy leaves can be prepared like spinach or used raw as a condiment. Esteemed in ancient Egypt and cultivated in Europe as far back as the Middle Ages, it fell victim to neglect over the course of the centuries. Now it is…
Tri-Colored Sage has the same flavor profile as traditional sage with beautiful lavender and white variegation. Beautiful presentation.
Also known as Manila Mangoes, Ataulfo Mangoes are prized for their creamy, smooth texture and sweet flavor. Once they are available, we know that Champagne Mangoes (a branded Mango packed in Texas) are just around the corner.
We usually see dried dates, packed in trays. These are fresh dates, still in a bunch. Fresh Barhi Dates(on the left) are a prime date of Arabia, valued for its delicate and rich flavor. The ripening date develops its sweetness at an early stage making it a popular fresh date, and it also cures well….
Cape Gooseberries were introduced to England in the eighteenth century but seem to have been known to the Greeks as early as the third century AD. The early settlers in South Africa cultivated Cape Gooseberries in the Cape of Good Hope, giving rise to one theory on how they acquired their name. Cape Gooseberries (physalis,…
A Cocktail Avocado is a delightful little gift of nature that occurs without warning as a result of genetic factors and sudden changes in climate. This small, seedless avocado shows up most often in the greenskin variety, Fuerte. Although difficult to peel, Cocktail Avocado are cute and tasty when sliced into rounds as a garnish…
In 1915, Californian Everett K. DaVall developed two new Date varieties with the help of the Coachella Valley Agricultural Extension Station staff. To this day, his grandson, Everett, grows the same two Dates Empress and Honey. Both have exceptional flavor but have their own personalities. The Empress is perfect for stuffing its texture is somewhat…
Red Dragon Fruit, originally known as Pitahaya, is native to Central America, and is grown in the dryer tropic climates of Asia and the Americas. The fruit is related to the Cactus Pear, and grows on a vine-like member of the cactus family. Dragon Fruit cultivars have flesh of various colors: white, pink and the…
Also known as Chinese jujubes, Chinese apples or Chinese dates (anab in Arabic, zizifa in Greek, bor in India, and natsume in Japan), Jujubes have been cultivated in Northern China for more than 4,000 years and are now grown extensively in India, Asian, Southern Europe and more recently on the West Coast of the United…
Distant relatives of the lychees, Longans are small, round, undistinguished-looking fruit. The brittle light brown skin encloses translucent, juicy-soft flesh around a single large, black inedible pit. Their perfumey flavor is delicate and sweet. Longans are grown throughout Southeast Asia and China, where they are particularly popular the Chinese name means " dragon’ s eye"…
These are the very best Medjools we have found. Grown by a small farmer in California’ s Coachella Valley, these Medjools are large, rich, meaty, and super sweet with a smooth texture…everything a Medjool is supposed to be! Absolutely gorgeous amenity!
This beautiful fruit, with its smooth golden skin heavily streaked with purple, is sometimes called a ‘tree melon’. Native to Peru, the Pepino is a relative of the tomato, Potato and Eggplant family (Solanacae), but looks rather like a Melon. The pale yellow flesh is quite tart, with a flavor suggestive of Lemon, Pineapple and…
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Also known as Chinese broccoli or Chinese kale, this brassica grows up to three feet high and forms strong stems, glossy, blue-green leaves, and flowers like broccoli. An everyday vegetable throughout Asia, it is cultivated mostly for these fleshy stems, the young and tender leaves and the unopened flowers. This vegetable is often compared to…
A rhizome with a hot, ginger-peppery flavor, GALANGA ROOT is used primarily as a seasoning. Also known as Thai ginger (it is a member of the ginger family), it has translucent golden skin, slightly ridged rings around the root, and a creamy white-flesh. The pale pink shoots of the tender young rhizome are even more…
In Western countries, CHRYSANTHEMUMS are Mother’s Day flowers. In China and Japan, they are part of the culture. Fresh chrysanthemum petals are sprinkled into soups or over steamed dishes. Chrysanthemum petals may be added to soups shortly before serving as overcooking makes them bitter.
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Originally from India, eggplants are now distributed throughout almost every tropical, subtropical, and temperate climatic zone. This perennial member of the nightshade family, which is grown commercially only as an annual, bears 8s up to 1 foot in length, 2-5 inches in diameter, and up to 1 1/4 pounds in weight. While oval, dark purple…
The Chinese eggplant has a lovely lilac colored, thin skin, delicate flavor, and relatively few seeds. Perhaps the nicest thing about this mellow-flavored plant is its adaptability. Its white mild flesh goes with just about any other food. It harmonizes especially well with strong spices like garlic, cinnamon and aromatic 2. Slender, and longer than…
Chinese Long Beans (also known as yard-long beans, or asparagus beans) are close relatives of the black-eyed pea rather than the green beans. Crunchier than green beans and with a slightly tougher texture, long beans can take a little more cooking without getting mushy. Although the flavor is similar, they do not taste exactly like…