Having skirted damage from last week's freeze threat, Placer County is now ready to welcome visitors from the valley to buy foothill mandarins, said an article in the Sacramento Bee.

Mandarins are a signature crop in Placer County, where the climate and soil produce particularly flavorful fruit, according to a UC Cooperative Extension mandarin information page. Mandarins are more cold tolerant than all other citrus except kumquats.

The Mountain Mandarin Association's website says the first mandarin orange trees were planted in Placer County in the 1880s. According to the agricultural commissioner's crop report, Placer County citrus fruit was valued at $1,223,545 in 2009.

The association website offers maps to the county's 30 producers, an attraction guide, nutrition information and recipes.