Educational

Pears for the Holidays: DIY gifts with The Produce Moms & Sage Fruit

December 24, 2020 by Sage Fruit Leave a Comment

There’s no need for last minute gifts, during the holidays or otherwise, to be stressful or complicated. Follow along as Lori from the Produce Moms and Kaci from Sage Fruit demonstrate how to make easy, affordable and homemade gifts that everyone is sure to love.

We’ve created a list of what you’ll need. Gather your ingredients and create these delightful gifts along with us!

Slow Cooker Vanilla Spiced Pear Butter
Yields 8, 8oz jars

7-8lbs ? pears (any variety)
1 lemon
1 orange
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp cardamom (or allspice or clove)
3/4 tsp nutmeg (or pumpkin pie spice)
8oz jars

DIY Gift Basket

Pears ? the star of the show!
Something Tall: Bottle of Wine or Sparkling Cider/Water, Bottle of Balsamic Vinegar, Jar of Honey, etc.
Something Salty: Nuts, Pretzels, or Crackers
Something Sweet: Dates, Candy, or Chocolates
Something Savory: Cheese Wedge or Olives
Tissue paper
Gift Basket OR a Shoe Box + Gift Wrap

For more gift basket tips, visit www.theproducemoms.com.

WASHINGTON APPLE HARVEST

August 7, 2020 by Sage Fruit Leave a Comment

Apple harvest is in full swing in the Pacific Northwest! From August through the end of October, we’ll be hard at work picking all of your favorite varieties.

Throughout the summer we’ve experienced mild temperatures. However, the warm days and cool nights have brought on good coloring of the fruit. The weather has also allowed for an earlier harvest than last year by 3-5 days.

Popular varieties like Gala and Honeycrisp are some of the first off the trees, while our newest additions like Smitten and Cosmic Crisp will come later in September.

At Sage Fruit, we specialize in growing both Conventional and Organic apples, which you can find at a store near you!

We work hard on the farm, in the packing facilities, and in sales to deliver “An Exceptional Eating Experience!”

**Note: Cosmic Crisp will not be in stores though, until late November

2020 Harvest Start Times:

Variety	Harvest
Gala	Early August
Honeycrisp	Late August
Jonagold	Mid September
Fuji	Mid September
Golden Delicious	Early August
Granny Smith	Late August
Red Delicious	Mid September
Cosmic Crisp	Mid September	**Not available in stores until late Nov.
Ambrosia	Early August
Smitten	Late August
Rome	Mid September
Cameo	Mid September
Braeburn	Early August
Pink Lady	Late August

DYK?: There are over 6500 apple varieties grown throughout the world? Here in the United States, we only grow a handful of them for commercial production.

Recipes You’ll Love!…

NORTHWEST PEAR HARVEST

August 6, 2020 by Sage Fruit Leave a Comment

Although our summer fruit season has come to an end, that doesn’t mean things slow down here in the Northwest. In fact, they’re just getting started!

While cherries kick off our harvest season in June, we continue with apples and pears well into the fall. There are ten commercially grown pears in Washington and Oregon, but our main varieties include: Bartlett, Bosc, Green Anjou and Red Anjou.

Bartletts are among the very first new crop fruit to come off the tree, with their harvest beginning in early August. Like apples, the different pear varieties are harvested at different times.

2020 Harvest Start Times:

Variety	Harvest	Availability
Bartlett	Early August	Available through January
Red Anjou	Late August	Available through June
Bosc	Mid September	Available through April
Green Anjou	Mid September	Available nearly year-round

Farming is a year-round job and we’re lucky to have the best growers out there!

DYK?: Pears are picked when they are fully mature, but not yet ripe. They are one of the only fruits to ripen off the tree!

To ripen pears, allow them to sit on your counter top at room temperature for 1-3 days. Check the Neck! to see if they are ready to eat – apply gentle pressure to the neck of the pear, and if it gives slightly, it is juicy and sweet and ready to eat!

Why are pears considered a Winter fruit? Find out here.

Recipes you may like…

Meet Sage Fruit Company

January 25, 2019 by Sage Fruit 3 Comments

Welcome to the beautiful Pacific Northwest, where tree fruit is our specialty!

Get to know Sage Fruit Company as we take you through the process of growing, packing and shipping the world’s best apples, pears, cherries, peaches, apricots & nectarines.

Once Bitten… Forever Smitten!

October 15, 2018 by Sage Fruit 48 Comments

Have you tried a Smitten? Once bitten, you’ll be forever Smitten!

The search for the next great eating apple began in New Zealand in 2005. By 2011, Smitten was introduced to the United States courtesy of Pegasus Premier Fruit. Today, only a few apple shippers across the country are responsible for the growing, packing and distributing of this unique variety within the domestic market – which includes Sage Fruit!

Parentage

Smitten is a cross pollination of Gala, Braeburn, Fiesta and Falstaff.

Characteristics

Smitten is a bi-colored, stripe apple. It has a bright, pink/red blush over a yellow background
The flesh is both crunchy and juicy
Smitten is a hardy apple that remains firm in refrigeration – it stores tremendously well!

Flavor Profile

Smitten has a perfectly well-balanced flavor. It is sweet, with a hint of tartness and complex aromatics.

Curious yet? Head to your local grocer and pick some up! Let us know what you think. Can’t find them? Ask your produce manager.

We’re also giving you an opportunity to enter for a chance to win a sample case of Smitten apples + $100 Amazon Gift Card! Click here for more details.

Northwest Stone Fruit Season

July 31, 2018 by Sage Fruit 3 Comments

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This past spring, we welcomed a new growing and packing facility to the Sage Fruit Family. With this new warehouse (Vanguard Pride Packing), we added more apples and cherries to our inventory….but, we also added A LOT of Northwest grown stone fruit. So, as much as we enjoyed the summer before, we now have three more reasons to love it – apricots, peaches & nectarines! While our apricot season is already over, we are just getting started with peaches and nectarines.

What is a stone fruit?

Let’s first establish what a stone fruit is. Very simply, it is a fruit that contains a large “stone” (or pit) inside of it. Many people think the stone itself is the seed, however, the stone actually protects the seed, which is found inside of it. (Cherries are also considered stone fruit.)

Our Stone Fruit

Beginning this summer, we have both Conventional and Organic peaches and nectarines available. ALL of our peaches and nectarines are tree-ripened for the sweetest flavor! You might be asking yourself, “What does tree-ripened even mean?” Well, we allow the fruit to remain on the tree as long as possible in order for it to have the opportunity to reach its highest sugar content. We pride ourselves on delivery an exceptional eating experience, and know that the tree-ripening process in the most important aspect of our stone fruit growing. While we pick the fruit when it is still firm, we do not pick it when it’s green. So, you can eat it as soon as you get it home, or let it sit on the counter to soften up a bit.

Types of Peaches

Peaches have a delicate aroma, and a skin that is velvety. Depending on the pit, peaches are classified as either freestone or semi-cling varieties. A freestone peach can have its center stone easily removed from the flesh because it is not attached. In contrast, the center stone of a semi-cling peach is attached to the flesh. Freestone peaches are much more suitable for canning than semi-cling peaches, however there is no noticeable difference in flavor, and both are excellent for eating fresh!

Additionally, the flesh of peaches can be different – we grow both white flesh and yellow flesh varieties.

White Flesh: Extremely sweet!
Yellow Flesh: Sweet and well-balanced flavor.

Types of Nectarines

Nectarines and peaches are closely related. However, they do have one visible difference, which is their skin. Peaches are velvety, whereas nectarines are smooth. Their skin is brightly colored gold with hues of ruby and pink throughout. All nectarine varieties are semi-cling.

Like peaches, nectarines can either be yellow flesh or white flesh. The flavor profile of each, also follows similarly to peaches.

White Flesh: Extremely sweet!
Yellow Flesh: Sweet and well-balanced flavor.

Availability

Northwest grown Peaches: Mid-July through September
Northwest grown Nectarines: Mid July through September

Need help picking out the perfect fruit? Use the guide below!

What’s the difference? Dark Sweet vs. Rainier Cherries

June 8, 2018 by Sage Fruit 10 Comments

It’s officially summer here in the Pacific Northwest…. Cherry season has begun! From now through August, we will be picking, packing and shipping these little gems seven days a week.

In all likelihood, when visiting your local supermarket, you will find two different types of cherries. Although there are numerous varieties for each type, we classify them as Dark Sweet and Rainier. But, what’s so different between the two?

The obvious difference between them is their appearance. Dark Sweet cherries are a rich, mahogany color, whereas Rainier cherries are yellow, with a tinge of red. However, their flavor profile also sets them apart from one another. Rainiers have a lower acidity level, which results in them having higher brix (sugar content). Thus, Rainier cherries are actually sweeter than Dark Sweet cherries.

In addition, the growing season for Rainier cherries is much shorter. There is less acreage planted in the Pacific Northwest, therefore there is less volume to supply consumers with. You can find Washington grown Rainiers at retail from mid-June until mid-July. Dark Sweets, though, you will be able to find until the end of August.

Quick Fact: Developed in 1952 at Washington State University, the Rainier cherry is a cross between the Bing and the Van. It gets its name after the highest peak in the state of Washington.

How to: Select, Store & Prep Cherries

Select:

Dark Sweet – Look for cherries that are a deep red, mahogany color with green stems.

Rainier – Look for yellow with red blush on the shoulders of the fruit and green stems.

Store:

Always store your cherries in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat. Keeping them in the refrigerator prevents them from becoming soft and helps prolong their shelf-life.

Prep:

Before eating, be sure to wash your cherries by rinsing them under cool running water. Unlike some other fruits and vegetables, no additional wax is added to cherries, but it’s always a good idea to rinse your fresh produce!

Taste the Breeze!

May 11, 2018 by Sage Fruit 38 Comments

As I’m sure you are well aware, new products are frequently being introduced to the marketplace – including in your produce department! Just like any other industry, we look for opportunities to excite and engage consumers. For us, that means actively seeking the most flavorful, consumer-friendly apple varieties to plant in our orchards and ship to your supermarkets. So, without further ado, we would like to introduce you to the newest member of our apple family…. Breeze!

The Breeze has a solid pink-red blush over a yellow background. It is aromatic and sweet with a crisp, dense white flesh. Breeze are originally from New Zealand and have been made available to us through our partnership with Freshco. They are harvested for a two-week period at the end of February, and then shipped to the United States for a mid-April arrival.

Due to the increasing demand for the Breeze apple, growers in New Zealand have already doubled their production. And now, we at Sage Fruit, have acreage in Washington as well. Soon, Breeze apples will be available year-round!

Apples from New Zealand?

Why? First, New Zealand grows apples very similar to the way we do here in Washington State. Their growing regions mimic ours; they have warm summer days, cool summer nights and crisp winters. Because of this, they are able to produce the same quality of product that we do. Second, when it’s Spring here, it’s Fall there, which means their harvest occurs as our volume is decreasing. We don’t import ALL varieties, but there are a few, that for one reason or another, the state of Washington cannot provide for a full 365 days. In order to keep consumers supplied with their favorite apple varieties all year, we use the different growing seasons to our advantage. Plus, they have new and delicious varieties (like Breeze!) they want to share too.

Have you tried a Breeze?

No? Well, we’re giving you a chance to “Taste the Breeze!” You can enter for your opportunity to win a sample box + $100 Amazon gift card right here. Be sure to look for them in your produce department, and, if you don’t see them, ask your Produce Manager!

From Bloom to Harvest

March 28, 2018 by Sage Fruit 1 Comment

Spring has sprung! Sort of. We know many parts of the U.S. are still experiencing winter weather, but here in the Pacific Northwest, we are gearing up for one of our favorite times of the year…. bloom! The birds are chirping. The bees are buzzing. Soon, fruit trees around the state of Washington will be covered in pink and white blossoms.

cherry bloom In no time at all, Washington cherries, apricots, peaches and nectarines will be available at your local grocery store! Then, not too far behind them, you’ll start seeing new crop apples and pears.

So, how long does it take from bloom to harvest? Harvest timing is not the same for all tree fruit; it varies based on 1) the type of fruit and 2) the variety of fruit. For cherries, it can be anywhere from 55 days to 90 days depending on the variety.

Bloom

Bloom varies from year to year; weather has a large hand in when it will occur. The earliest full bloom date recorded was April 9th, in both 2015 & 2016. In 2017, the full bloom date was May 1st (for apples). Full bloom is defined as the day 60% of “king blossoms” are open on the north side of the tree (WSU Tree Fruit).

Daily high temperatures are used to predict bloom based on degree days (DD) above 43℉.

Using Red Delicious as the baseline for apples:

The Average Full Bloom Date From 1995-2005 is: April 23
The Average Full Bloom Date From 1990-1999 is: April 21

bees pollinating fruit tree Red Delicious happens to be a relatively late blossoming apple cultivar. Other apple cultivars, on warmer sites in the local region, will bloom up to a week earlier. Elevation and slope aspect are quite variable over short distances in Eastern Washington (state), and very influential in relation to blossom development rate. Lower elevation orchards (~700 ft. elevation) may see blossoms up to a month before higher elevations (~3,400 ft.) (WSU Tree Fruit).

Apricots are the first tree fruit to bloom in Washington, which is typically 3 weeks prior to Red Delicious. Peaches and nectarines are next, and are about 14 – 17 before apples. Cherries follow peaches and nectarines, blooming roughly 10 – 14 days before apples. Then come pears, which are about 7 – 10 days prior to apples.

During bloom, pollination must occur in order for fruit to develop. Pollen is transferred primarily by honeybees. Honeybees work best when temperatures reach 65^oF+.

Harvest

At Sage Fruit, our harvest begins with cherries in early-to-mid June and finishes in early November with the last of our apple varieties. Each orchard block is evaluated individually using various fruit maturity-testing methods. A general benchmark growers tend to use to estimate maturity date is “days after full bloom.” This is especially helpful if the grower has data from previous years. Depending on weather, the value may vary from 5-20 days year-to-year.

Maturity testing typically begins 2+ weeks in advance of the estimated harvest date, and continues each week until the fruit is picked from the tree. Firmness, soluble solids concentration (SSC) and starch content are the primary tests performed to determine how far a long the fruit is. Other considerations include: fruit size, taste and skin coloration.

For more on specific maturity testing click here. The Washington State University database is extremely helpful!

2017 Harvest Start Times:

Cherries
Rainier		Early-to-Mid June
Dark Sweet		Mid-June

Apricots

Mid-June

Peaches

Late July

Nectarines

Late July

Pears
Bartlett		Early-to-Mid August
Anjou		Late August
Bosc		Early September
Red Anjou		Early September

Apples
Gala		Mid-August
Honeycrisp		Late August
Breeze		Late August
Golden Delicous		Early September
Granny Smith		Mid-September
Fuji		Mid-September
Jonagold		Mid-September
Red Delicious		Late September
Braeburn		Mid-October
Pink Lady		Mid-to-Late October
Cameo		Mid-to-Late October

Produce Challenge: D’Anjou Pears

February 24, 2018 by Sage Fruit Leave a Comment

The Produce Challenge for today is a D’Anjou pear. Luckily, this is something we know a little bit about, so it wasn’t too difficult to find a recipe!

Recipe:

Pear Noodle Yogurt Parfait – From Inspiralized

Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients

3/4 cup diced fruit (bananas, blueberries or strawberries)
Greek yogurt – vanilla, blueberry, strawberry
1 cup favorite granola
2 medium pears (bosc or anjou)

Instructions

Divide your diced fruit at the bottom of three mason jars.
Top fruit with one container of Greek yogurt per mason jar.
greek yogurt with 1/3 cup of granola per mason jar.
Top granola with pear noodles in each mason jar.

Prep Time: 5 minutes…..or less!

For this, we took the fresh and easy approach – no cooking required!

The best part about a parfait is that you can really use whatever fruit you want. I happened to use strawberries, but if you didn’t want to do any cutting, go with blueberries or raspberries – there is NO bad combination for a breakfast parfait. As far as the granola goes, I used what I had leftover from earlier in the week and yes, it was still amazing!

When purchasing your D’Anjou pears, be sure to Check the Neck – apply just a little pressure with your thumb at the top of the neck of the pear; if it gives a little, it is ripe and ready to eat!