- Author: Tammy Majcherek
‘Practical Composting for Small Spaces'
Hands-on activities included a tour of the South Coast REC Compost Demonstration Site, learning the proper techniques to turn a bin to maximize consistent temperatures and trying out various tools used for composting and vermiculture.
The highlight of the morning was learning how to make a DIY worm bin to take home - worms and all.
If you missed out on this workshop, we have another opportunity coming up on May 19, 2018.
Please click here to register.
- Author: Tammy Majcherek
South Coast Research and Extension Center
Cherimoya Taste Testing
The cherimoya collection at the South Coast REC contains various cultivars that are not widely available, and sought after by avid fans of this fruit. The varieties that were evaluated included ‘Big Sister', ‘Booth', ‘Deliciosa', ‘El Bumpo', ‘Knight', ‘Lucida', ‘Nata', ‘Orton', ‘Oxhart', ‘Pierce', ‘Santa Rosa', and ‘White'.
As in past years, the harvest at the time of the tasting was limited due to the cold night temperatures in December and early January.
As the name dictates, Deliciosa was the clear winner this year.
South Coast REC 2018 Cherimoya Tasting Top Three Varieties |
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Texture |
Flavor |
Overall |
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Deliciosa |
Deliciosa |
Deliciosa |
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Orton |
Knight |
Knight |
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Pierce |
Orton |
Orton |
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While learning the importance of incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet and the nutritional benefits, hand outs were also provided with handling tips and recipe ideas such as salsa or fruit salad - perfect for game day or easy entertaining.
Thank you to everyone for supporting this event. A special kudos to our fabulous UCCE Master Gardener and Master Food Preserver volunteers, and Center staff for all of their hard work.
- Author: Tammy Majcherek
Not always having time to process the harvest, coordinator Cinda Webb found a very artful and nutritious way to utilize the fruit - as a fresh centerpiece for her holiday table. After finishing their scrumptious meal, guests readily snacked on the fresh fruits available at their finger tips - leftovers were then later processed as time permitted.
If you would like to learn more about food preservation and public workshops such as 'Preserving the Season: Gifts from the Kitchen' go to http://ucanr.edu/sites/MFPOC/.
- Author: Tammy Majcherek
The persimmon collection at the Center contains various cultivars that are not widely available and are sought after by avid fans of this fruit.
Persimmon cultivars are classified in relation to fruit astringency at harvest: Pollination Constant Non Astringent (PCNA), Pollination Variant Non Astringent (PVNA), Pollination Variant Astringent (PVA) and Pollination Constant Astringent (PCA). The varieties that were evaluated during the tasting included California Fuyu (PCNA), Gosho (PCNA), OC Fuyu (PCNA), Imoto (PCNA), Matsumoto Wase (PCNA), True Fuyu (PCNA), Trible (PVNA), Jiro (PCNA), Kurakuma (PCNA), and Fuyu F8(PCNA).
Participants, young and old alike, expressed their excitement for the opportunity to sample the various varieties not commonly available in the marketplace in addition to (7) early Cherimoya varieties: Fino de Jete, Bays, Sabor, Lisa, Thomson, Orton and Knight.
Listed below are the tasting results for those who are curious to see where their favorite ranked this year:
Many thanks to the staff; UCCE Master Food Preservers and Master Gardener volunteers who helped with the slicing, setup, facilitating, and clean up. Very special acknowledgment to the team of volunteers led by Isabel Barkman assist with our orchards year-round and for their hard work harvesting, labeling, and preparing the persimmons and cherimoyas for this event.
- Author: Tammy Majcherek
Yes, you read correctly. We will have several varieties of cherimoyas available to taste in addition to the persimmons during our annual "persimmon" tasting on Thursday, November 9th. Come on out and give your taste buds a treat with these fall delicacies.
Schedule:
9:00 am to 10:00 am VIP Activity (see below) Pre-registration and fee required
10:30 am to 11:00 am Lecture – Safe Food Handling & Persimmon Recipe Options - free
11:00 am to 12:30pm Persimmon and Cherimoya Tasting - free
SUCCULENT PLANT SALE - BLOW OUT PRICES!!! 10:00 AM TO 12:30 PM
For more information go to http://screc.ucanr.edu/?calitem=376819&g=68933
Location 7601 Irvine Blvd. Irvine, CA