Tropicals
Tropicals
Jeff Miller: 213-305-0548
Juan Perez: 213-305-0837
Rosa Santos: 213-624-8676
Terry Iles: 949-696-8502
Red Mango :
Mangoes are grown throughout the world and come in many different varieties. The skin is usually green based with blushed color compliments. Its flesh is a striking yellowish-orange and contains a large pit in the center. When fully ripe, mangoes can range from mild to extremely sweet in taste.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
MX-Peru | MX/Guat/Per | MX/Guat/Per | MX-GT | MX-GT | MX | MX | MX-BZ | BZ-EC | BZ-EC | EC/PERU |
Green Mango :
Raw mangoes picked when just mature, are also known as “Green mangoes.” Green mangoes can be slightly kidney-shaped or oval, depending on the variety. They have a sour and slightly bitter taste. Wearing gloves when cutting into a green mango is recommended, due to skin-irritating oils. Green mangoes are used in a variety of hot and cold dishes and can be used to tenderize meats.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Peru | MX-Peru | MX/Guat/Per | MX/GT/Pe | MX-GT | MX-GT | MX | MX | MX-BZ | BZ-EC | BZ-EC | EC/PERU |
Ataulfos :
Atauflos have a small, flattened oval shape with a very small seed. The flesh is thick and creamy with an extremely sweet taste and a vivid yellow color. Ataulflos are perfect for fruit salad, smoothies, and many other sweet creations.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Peru | MX-Peru | MX/Guat/Per | MX/GT/Per | MX-GT | MX-GT | MX | MX | MX-BZ | BZ-EC | BZ-EC | EC/PERU |
Kiwi :
The Kiwifruit has a fibrous, brown skin and a luminescent green or golden flesh. The Kiwifruit has a very unique sweet flavor, unlike any other fruit.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
USA | USA | USA | USA | IMPORT | IMPORT | IMPORT | IMPORT | IMPORT | USA | USA | USA |
Yellow Squash :
Yellow squash can come as either crookneck or straight neck varieties. The flesh the yellow squash is creamy white and the exterior is a pale yellow. The two varieties differ slightly. The crookneck’s texture is slightly denser than that of straight necked yellow squash.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
USA-FL | USA-FL | USA-FL | USA-FL | USA-FL | USA-FL |
Zucchini Squash :
With its color and shape, the Zucchini squash can very easily be confused with the cucumber, but do not be fooled, the Zucchini squash is much different. Zucchini squash can be cooked in many different ways in varieties of dishes. From Zucchini pasta to Zucchini fries, it is an essential vegetable in the kitchen.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
USA-FL | USA-FL | USA-FL | USA-FL | USA-FL | USA-FL |
Green Beans :
Green beans average about four inches in size, they are long and thin with points at either end and produce a deep emerald green color. Within each thin pod, there are tiny, edible seeds.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
USA-FL | USA – CA | USA – CA | USA – CA | USA – CA | USA – CA | USA-FL |
Hot House Red Bell Peppers :
Hot House Bell peppers are crisp and sweet. Hot House Red Bell Peppers radiate a bold and bright red color of their thin, glossy skin. This particular variety tends to be much sweeter than other varieties, with less of an overbearing after bite. They are great for a wide range of recipes including stuffing, baking, or even eating raw as a snack!
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
SP, ISR | SP, ISR | SP,MX, | SP,MX, | MX, Hol | MX, Hol | MX, Hol | `MX, Hol | MX, Hol | MX, Hol | MX, Hol | SP, ISR |
Hot House Red Yellow Peppers :
Hot House Bell peppers are crisp and sweet. Hot House Red Yellow Bell Peppers have a smooth, glossy skin that is a burst of truly eye-catching sunshine yellow. This particular variety tends to be much sweeter than other varieties, with less of an overbearing after bite. They are great for a wide range of recipes including stuffing, baking, or even eating raw as a snack!
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
SP, ISR | SP, ISR | SP,MX, | SP,MX, | MX, Hol | MX, Hol | MX, Hol | MX, Hol | MX, Hol | MX, Hol | MX, Hol | SP, ISR |
Hot House Red Orange Peppers :
Hot House Bell peppers are crisp and sweet. Hot House Red Orange Bell Peppers are a vivid orange and have smooth, glossy skin. This particular variety tends to be much sweeter than other varieties, with less of an overbearing after bite. They are great for a wide range of recipes including stuffing, baking, or even eating raw as a snack.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
SP, ISR | SP, ISR | SP,MX, | SP,MX, | MX, Hol | MX, Hol | MX, Hol | MX, Hol | MX, Hol | MX, Hol | MX, Hol | SP, ISR |
White Dragon Fruit (Pitaya)
Dragon fruit grows on climbing cacti with stems that reach up to 6 meters long. The fruits are oval to oblong in shape, weighing about 8-12 ounces and averaging 10-15 centimeters in length. They have a pink or magenta peel with green scale-like leaves and white flesh that is dotted with tiny edible black seeds, similar to a kiwi. The juicy, spongy yet dense pulp offers a subtly sweet flavor with notes of berry, pear, kiwi, and watermelon, sometimes with just a hint of sourness.
Availability: Year-Round from Vietnam & Ecuador
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
FL | FL | FL | FL | FL | FL |
Red Dragon Fruit
Red dragon fruits grow on long, thin, vining cactuses that are often seen growing up trees, fences or walls. On the outside, Red dragon fruits look almost identical to the white-fleshed variety. The brightly colored oblong fruits are about 10 centimeters in length and can weigh up to a pound. They have pink to magenta-colored skin that has the appearance of succulent, fleshy scales overlapping, leaving small, green-tipped protrusions along its length. The skin is thin, with an average thickness of only 3 millimeters, so the flesh to rind ratio is high. The bright magenta flesh of the Red dragon fruit is the result of a compound called betacyanin, which is the same pigment present in beets and prickly pear fruit. The pulp has the texture of kiwi fruit, with small, black edible seeds throughout. Red dragon fruit is sweet, though not as sweet as the white-fleshed variety, and has a mild acidity.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Vitenam | Vietnam | Vietnam | Vietnam | Vietnam | Vietnam | Vietnam&CA | Vietnam&CA | Vietnam&CA | Vietnam&CA | Vietnam&CA | Vietnam |
Yellow Dragon Fruit
YYellow dragon fruit has an oblong shape and is slightly smaller in size than the more common red varieties. The fruits measure approximately 10 centimeters long and 7 centimeters wide. Their size depends on climatic conditions and is often categorized into three different size groups. Their thick yellow skin is covered in small knobby protrusions, which when immature displays small spines that will naturally fall off as the fruit matures. Beneath the skin is a dense white flesh containing numerous petite, edible black seeds. Yellow dragon fruit has a crisp, juicy texture and very sweet, tropical flavor with floral hints and no acidity.
Availability: Year-Round from Thailand&Vietnam
Lychee
Lychees are oval-round and petite, roughly the size of a walnut, and their leathery skin is covered with tiny spikes. Young lychee fruits start out green, and as they mature, they become blushed with pink and eventually turn a bright red. The pearly-white pulp is covered in juice and houses a dark-brown seed at its center, which can vary in size from 1/2 inch to 1 inch in length, depending on the variety. The firm yet gelatinous pulp is chewy and juicy with a sweet, fruity flavor, like a cross of strawberry and watermelon with a touch of pineapple-like acidity. Lychees are also fragrant with a tropical scent and a hint of roses.
Longan
Ranging in size from an olive to a small plum and spherical to ovoid in shape, Longans have a thin rough-to-prickly brown easy to remove shell called a pericarp covering its grayish-white translucent pulp. In the center of the juicy flesh is a large smooth jet-black seed with a white ovoid characteristic mark. Having a flesh reminiscent of a peeled grape, the flavor is wonderfully sweet and often described as a mysterious tasting blend of musk, spruce, and gardenia.
Availability: Year-Round from Vietnam
Rambutan
Rambutans are closely related to the lychee, the tropical Rambutan, pronounced ram-BYU-tn, varies in type and quality. The fruit may be greenish-yellow, orange or crimson, are oval-shaped and usually 1 – 2 inches long. The soft, flexible exterior shell is covered in stiff, hair-like bristles. While the exterior makes it seem larger than the lychee, the inner fruit is actually smaller. Rambutan flesh is juicy, milky- white, translucent in color, with a grape-like, gelatinous texture surrounding a central seed with an almond-like taste. The flavor of a Rambutan is more acidic than the lychee, sweet and very aromatic.
Availability: Year-Round from Thailand. June through November from China. July through November from Vietnam
Avocado
California and Mexican avocados are the best-tasting avocados in the world. Due to the growing climates and proximity to North America, they are the freshest and generally have much higher oil (which is the deliciousness we’ve grown to love) than other regions. Hass avocados have a pebbly skin that ripens from green to deep purple or nearly black, and they can vary in size from 5 to 12 ounces. Although the skin is thick, it is relatively easy to peel. The flesh closest to the skin is pale green, and as it nears the medium-sized central stone it develops a yellow undertone. The flesh is soft, creamy, and barely fibrous, with good oil content. The flavor is rich and nutty with a slightly sweet finish.
Availability: Year Round from Mexico
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Chile | CA/Chile | CA/Chile | CA | CA | CA | CA | CA | CA | Chile | Chile |
Bell Peppers
– 11# Box
– 15# Box
– 25# Box
– 12/1# Pouch Bag
Mango
1. Store unripe mangoes in a dark, room temperature container. Room temperature storage helps unripe mangoes retain their flavor without spoiling too fast. Jars with airflow and plastic bags can protect your mangoes from pests without blocking out oxygen. Check on your mangoes every 2 days until they are ripe. Depending on when you bought your mangoes, they can take up to 8 days to ripen.
2. Store ripe mangoes in the fridge so they stay retain more of their flavor. Once mangoes are ripe, you can put them in colder storage like the fridge. Fresh mangoes in the fridge can last up to 6 days.
3. Watch out for signs that the mangoes have turned rotten. After six days, ripe mangoes are likely to show symptoms of rot like mushy, black skin and a sour smell. If the discoloration is inside the mangoes, throw them away.
Kiwi
1. Store kiwis on the counter to ripen them. Kiwi is one of those fruits that will continue to ripen after it’s harvested. When you buy unripe kiwi, leave them on the counter at room temperature, and they will ripen over the next three to seven days.
2. Transfer unripe kiwis to a paper bag to ripen them faster. Kiwi is a fruit that produces a gas called ethylene, which helps to ripen fruit at an accelerated pace. When you store kiwi in a paper bag, the bag traps the ethylene and ripens the fruit faster.
3. Eat ripe kiwis immediately. Kiwi is ripe when the fruit gives to gentle pressure when you press the fruit with your thumb. A ripe kiwi will also smell fragrant, and have darker brown skin. Eat the sweet and juicy fruit right away, or store it properly for extended shelf life.
4. Transfer kiwis to the refrigerator for longer storage. Once the Kiwis have finished ripening, place any leftovers into the refrigerator to preserve them. A ripe kiwi will only last on the counter for a couple of days but will keep in the refrigerator for one to two weeks.
5. Dehydrate them for longer shelf life. Dehydrated foods can last for years because all of the moisture gets removed. Kiwis are best dehydrated when they are ripe but still quite firm, as they will retain a better texture. To dehydrate kiwis.
6. Freeze ripe kiwi for extended periods. Rinse the kiwi under running water and scrub it with a brush or cloth. Pat the fruit dry. Remove the hardtop and bottom stems from the fruit. Slice the kiwi into bite-sized chunks and spread them out on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer overnight. Transfer the slices to an airtight container or freezer bag and return them to the freezer. Kiwi will last for up to nine months in the freezer.
Yellow Squash
1. Store summer squash by gently wiping the fruit clean with a damp cloth and then placing it in a perforated plastic bag (to maintain humidity) in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator.
2. Do not store summer squash in the refrigerator for more than 4 days. Avoid storing summer squash at temperatures below 50°F (10°C); the fruit is susceptible to chilling injury at temperatures below 50°F; chilling injury symptoms include surface pitting, water loss, yellowing, and decay.
Zucchini
1. Keep the zucchini whole, dry, and unwashed. Cutting the zucchini will make it go bad much faster, so make sure it’s whole before refrigerating. Make sure not to wash the squash before storing as well, since the excess water will make it rot quickly. Pat the zucchini with a paper towel to remove moisture. If your zucchini has some condensation or moisture on its skin, make sure to gently pat it dry before storing it. Any excess moisture will cause mold and decay.
2. Place it in a plastic or paper bag with some ventilation. Keeping the zucchini enclosed in a bag will help slow the aging process. Make sure to provide some ventilation for proper air circulation. You can do this by using a perforated bag or by sealing the bag and poking some holes in it.
3. Put the bagged zucchini in a crisper drawer in the refrigerator. Zucchini rots when it comes in contact with too much moisture, so make sure to keep it in the crisper drawer rather than the main area of the refrigerator. This drawer maintains the ideal humidity level to keep vegetables fresh longer. Use the zucchini within 5-7 days. It’s best to use zucchini sooner than later because the longer you wait, the more it will secrete moisture and the skin will start to shrivel.
4. Check the zucchini for signs of rot before using it. If it feels soft to the touch and black spots start to show up on the skin, the zucchini is still edible. Cut out any black spots and use them quickly. However, if the zucchini feels mushy and starts to leak a thick, white liquid, it has gone bad. Throw it away and clean up any excess liquid.
Green Beans
1. Do not wash the beans. Washing the beans can leave moisture on them, which can cause them to mold. Use your hand to wipe off any dirt or debris on the beans, if any. Place a paper towel in a large resealable freezer bag. The paper towel will help to soak up moisture on the beans and prevent them from becoming moldy. Put the green beans in the bag. Make sure the green beans sit flat in the bag. Push as much air as you can out of the bag before you seal it. Refrigerate for up to 1 week. Keep the beans in the vegetable crisper drawer in your refrigerator so they stay fresh.
2. Wash the beans before using them in dishes. Before you toss the beans in a dish, take them out of the fridge and give them a rinse under cool running water. Make sure they appear hard and supple, not soggy or wet. Then, put them in casseroles, stir frys, and salads for a healthy crunch.
Bell Pepper
1.Store whole peppers without washing them. Any moisture on the pepper will make it rot faster in the fridge. Wait until you are ready to cook the pepper before you wash it.
2. Put peppers in a produce bag. Produce bags are made from mesh, which gives the peppers plenty of air. If you don’t have a produce bag, take a plastic grocery bag and poke a few holes in it.
3. Place bell peppers in the refrigerator’s vegetable drawer. The drawer will keep them fresh and crisp. Spread out the peppers as much as possible. If the drawer is tightly packed, they may not last as long.
4. Throw out bell peppers when they become too soft. Press lightly against the pepper’s skin with your fingertips. If the skin is firm and smooth, the pepper is still good. If it feels slightly spongy or wrinkled, you can cook the pepper, but don’t eat it raw. If the pepper is slimy or very soft, toss the pepper.
Mango
Amount Per Serving: 1 fruit without refuse (336 g) |
Calories 201 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 1.3 g | 2% |
Saturated fat 0.3 g | 1% |
Polyunsaturated fat 0.2 g | |
Monounsaturated fat 0.5 g | |
Cholesterol 0 mg | 0% |
Sodium 3 mg | 0% |
Potassium 564 mg | 16% |
Total Carbohydrate 50 g | 16% |
Dietary fiber 5 g | 20% |
Sugar 46 g | |
Protein 2.8 g | 5% |
Vitamin A | 72% | Vitamin C | 203% |
Calcium | 3% | Iron | 2% |
Vitamin D | 0% | Vitamin B-6 | 20% |
Cobalamin | 0% | Magnesium | 8% |
Kiwi
Amount Per Serving: 1 fruit (2″ dia) (69 g) |
Calories 42 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 0.4 g | 0% |
Saturated fat 0 g | 0% |
Polyunsaturated fat 0.2 g | |
Monounsaturated fat 0 g | |
Cholesterol 0 mg | 0% |
Sodium 2 mg | 0% |
Potassium 215 mg | 6% |
Total Carbohydrate 10 g | 3% |
Dietary fiber 2.1 g | 8% |
Sugar 6 g | |
Protein 0.8 g | 1% |
Vitamin A | 1% | Vitamin C | 106% |
Calcium | 2% | Iron | 1% |
Vitamin D | 0% | Vitamin B-6 | 0% |
Cobalamin | 0% | Magnesium | 3% |
Yellow Squash
Amount Per Serving: 1 medium (196 g) |
Calories 32 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 0.4 g | 0% |
Saturated fat 0.1 g | 0% |
Polyunsaturated fat 0.2 g | |
Monounsaturated fat 0 g | |
Cholesterol 0 mg | 0% |
Sodium 4 mg | 0% |
Potassium 514 mg | 14% |
Total Carbohydrate 7 g | 2% |
Dietary fiber 2.2 g | 8% |
Sugar 4.3 g | |
Protein 2.4 g | 4% |
Vitamin A | 7% | Vitamin C | 55% |
Calcium | 2% | Iron | 3% |
Vitamin D |
Zucchini
Amount Per Serving: 1 medium (196 g) |
Calories 33 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 0.6 g | 0% |
Saturated fat 0.2 g | 1% |
Polyunsaturated fat 0.2 g | |
Monounsaturated fat 0 g | |
Trans fat 0 g | |
Cholesterol 0 mg | 0% |
Sodium 16 mg | 0% |
Potassium 512 mg | 14% |
Total Carbohydrate 6 g | 2% |
Dietary fiber 2 g | 8% |
Sugar 4.9 g | |
Protein 2.4 g | 4% |
Vitamin A | 7% | Vitamin C | 58% |
Calcium | 3% | Iron | 3% |
Vitamin D | 0% | Vitamin B-6 | 15% |
Cobalamin | 0% | Magnesium | 8% |
Green Beans
Amount Per Serving: 1 cup 1/2″ pieces (100 g) |
Calories 31 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 0.1 g | 0% |
Saturated fat 0 g | 0% |
Polyunsaturated fat 0.1 g | |
Monounsaturated fat 0 g | |
Cholesterol 0 mg | 0% |
Sodium 6 mg | 0% |
Potassium 209 mg | 5% |
Total Carbohydrate 7 g | 2% |
Dietary fiber 3.4 g | 13% |
Protein 1.8 g | 3% |
Vitamin A | 2% | Vitamin C | 27% |
Calcium | 3% | Iron | 5% |
Vitamin D | 0% | Vitamin B-6 | 5% |
Cobalamin | 0% | Magnesium | 6% |
Bell Pepper
Amount Per Serving: 1 pepper (45 g) |
Calories 18 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 0.1 g | 0% |
Saturated fat 0 g | 0% |
Polyunsaturated fat 0 g | |
Monounsaturated fat 0 g | |
Cholesterol 0 mg | 0% |
Sodium 3 mg | 0% |
Potassium 153 mg | 4% |
Total Carbohydrate 4.3 g | 1% |
Dietary fiber 0.7 g | 2% |
Sugar 2.3 g | |
Protein 0.9 g | 1% |
Vitamin A | 10% | Vitamin C | 181% |
Calcium | 0% | Iron | 2% |
Vitamin D | 0% | Vitamin B-6 | 5% |
Cobalamin | 0% | Magnesium | 2% |