Mandarin Oranges

It’s a product that dates back at least three hundred years. The mandarin orange has traveled a long way from its origins in Asia and the Philippines. But Dawn Smith discovered this plucky little fruit is holding its own against its bigger cousins.  

It’s November in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Harvest time for mandarin oranges — and the best time of year for farmer Steve Pilz.

"Yeah, it’s an exciting time because we’re back to producing something that people really enjoy," says Steve. "And I do have customers that are third generation customers."

Three generations of the Pilz family have farmed this land, selling their juicy crop to stores local farmer’s markets, even out of their own garage. November is the end of the harvest cycle, when each mandarin is hand-clipped after months of feeding and watering.

"If you were to take them and just pull them and the stem stays on the tree and ruins the fruit for after market," Steve explains. "You can still eat them and they’re good at your house but this part isn’t very good for the tree and this is not very good for a consumer."

The tangerine is actually one kind of mandarin orange. All told, there are about 30 different varieties, each unique in size, color and flavor.

The Pilz family was one of the first to plant mandarin orange trees in the foothills. Fruit growers turned to this crop in the 1950’s after disease decimated hundreds of pear trees.

In Auburn, California, locals are both harvesting and celebrating their citrus crop. The Mountain Mandarin Festival draws about 25-thousand fans of the specialty fruit. "In November this festival launches the harvest and they can come here and get their very first mandarin of the season," says festival organize Ralene Snow.

And here, it’s all about mandarin. From the chocolate covered wedges to the cheesecake, mandarin shakes, sandwiches with mandarin barbeque sauce — even mandarin-topped baked potatoes. While canned mandarins are popular, most fresh varieties are in the seasonal spotlight only from about November through April.

"It’s limited in its season. So, there’s this air of exclusivity that goes along with them. People feel like, oh my gosh, I have to get my mandarins before they’re gone," says festival manager John Bartosik.

"We love our mandarins! This is just the start of one haul. So I mean I have what, about 6 or 8 there, and about 6 boxes I’m looking at, probably another 6 or more boxes after this," confirms festival-goer Glen Levstik

It’s all good news for growers like Steve Pilz who rely on friends and neighbors as repeat customers. There is a shared gratitude for this seasonal tradition that adds a splash of bright color, and a sweet flavor to the short, cold days of winter.

Additional Info:
http://www.mandarinfestival.com

Did you know:
If you’re fighting a cold, consider loading up on a variety of mandarin orange called the "Dancy." This Florida and California tangerine was found to have the highest levels of vitamin C of any citrus fruit — as well as synephrine, a natural decongestant.