Sunburst Oranges Shares Fun Orange Facts

There are now more than 600 varieties of oranges grown worldwide.

Oranges have been grown since ancient times ( 2,500 BC ) and are thought to have originated in Southeast Asia.

There are no naturally occurring wild orange trees.

Navel oranges are named that because of the belly-button shaped formation across from the stem attachment.

In general the bigger the navel in any given orange, the sweeter it will taste. That is compared to other oranges from the same tree or grove and grown in the same climatic and soil conditions.

California and Florida are large producers of oranges here in the US. They are followed by Texas and Arizona.

Following chocolate and vanilla, orange is the world's third favorite flavor.  We think combining orange and dark chocolate makes the very best flavor.

Oranges are very high in antioxidants. Antioxidants neutralize the effects of free radicals, which are unstable oxygen molecules, believed to cause aging and some forms of diseases.

Because oranges do not spoil easily and are full of vitamin C during the years of world exploration sailors planted orange and other citrus trees along trade routes to be able to harvest the fruit to prevent scurvy which is a disease that develops from a deficiency of vitamin C.

British sailors were often referred to as a “Limey”, when they came to the New World and prevented scurvy by sucking on limes.

Ideal conditions for growing oranges are in sub-tropical areas that have good amounts of sunshine yet moderate to warm temperatures, i.e. 60 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

There are typically ten segments inside an orange.

The white orange blossom is highly fragrant and has long been used in weddings as cake decoration, in bridal bouquets, wrist corsage and in a veil band or wreath. The blossom essence is an important component in the making of perfume and the petals can also be made into what is called, orange blossom flower water.

Oranges belong to a group of citrus fruits called the hesperidium.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

Sunburst Orange Honey Glazed Grilled Pork Tenderloins

If you looking for a great and tasty dish to kick off your grilling season here is a sweet, savory and spicy dish to try out.

Ingredients:
2 pounds pork tenderloin (slice into sections)

Marinade
3 Tablespoon Sunburst Orange juice
2 Tablespoon Sunburst Orange Blossom honey
2 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 Teaspoon soy sauce
1 Tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder

Topping
1 cup segmented Sunburst Oranges
1 jalapeno chilies (seeded and finely diced) (adjust heat to taste)
Redmond Trading Sea Salt
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar

Non-stick cooking spray

Directions:

Make a marinade by mixing together the Sunburst orange juice, Sunburst honey, olive oil, soy sauce, and Chinese five-spice powder in a large, glass bowl.

Pat sliced tenderloins dry and place in marinade. Turn to coat thoroughly. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour or even overnight.

While pork is marinating, make the orange spice sauce. Orange segments can be left whole or pulped. Mix together orange segments, jalapeño pepper, and vinegar. Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

Lightly coat clean grill with non-stick cooking spray. Heat grill to medium heat. Place tenderloins on grill and close the lid. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, covered, then turn tenderloins. Cook another 10 minutes.

Transfer tenderloins to a cutting board and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Let them rest for five minutes. Arrange tenderloins on plates and top with orange spice sauce. Tenderloins can be served hot or at room temperature.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy. Direct from our trees to your home.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

Sunburst Oranges Has Added Sunburst Orange Blossom Honey!

As most everyone knows without bees we could not pollinate our citrus crops.  There is a magnificent by-product of having bees do our pollinating and it is the most wonderful tasting honey.

Just like eating Sunburst Oranges, eating our Sunburst Orange Blossom Honey has many beneficial properties.

The healing powers of honey have been used for centuries, but you might be surprised how many health benefits you can get from this kitchen staple. This golden liquid has been shown to help fix ailments ranging from a pesky cough to a painful wound.

However, children under the age of one should never consume honey, raw or pasteurized.

Did you know that the ancient Egyptians not only made offerings of honey to their gods, they also used it as an embalming fluid and a dressing for wounds? On that last point, at least, they were on to something.

Today, many people swarm (pun intended) to honey for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Holistic practitioners consider it one of nature's best all-around remedies.

Ancient Olympic athletes would eat honey and dried figs to enhance their performance. This has now been verified with modern studies, showing that it is superior in maintaining glycogen levels and improving recovery time than other sweeteners.

Even the Bible has a direct reference to honey.  “My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:” — King Solomon – Proverbs: 24:13

In the laboratory, honey has been shown to hamper the growth of food-borne pathogens such as E. coli and salmonella, and to fight certain bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, both of which are common in hospitals and doctors' offices.

Recent research shows that honey treatment may help disorders such as ulcers and bacterial gastroenteritis.

When shopping for honey and you'll see that some are lighter, others are darker. In general, the darker the honey, the more antibacterial and antioxidant power it has.

Honey helps with coughs. In a study of 110 children, a single dose of honey was just as effective as a single dose of dextromethorphan in relieving nocturnal cough and allowing proper sleep.

Pure, California Honey created in the Orange Blossoms of the San Joaquin Valley.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

Sunburst Orange Gift Packs

Medium Super Citrus Saver
18 California Sweet Navel Oranges delivered to your door at no additional shipping costs. $21.95

Large Super Citrus Saver
24 California Sweet Navel Oranges delivered to your door at no additional shipping costs. $29.95

Can ship anywhere in the US including Military Bases...........Send a little Sunshine to Support Our Troops.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We have the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.



Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

Four Health Benefits From Eating Oranges

We all want to lead healthy lives and eating an orange daily can be part of your optimal diet.  Here are just four of many benefits that will be part of adding whole oranges to your diet.

Lower Cholesterol
Sunburst Navel Oranges are a great source of soluble fiber. This is very helpful for lowering cholesterol levels. Soluble fiber attracts water in your intestines, forming a slow-moving gel. As this gel substance travels through your intestinal tract, it picks up some of the excess cholesterol compounds and pushes them out through fecal waste. Your cholesterol levels will go down over time, decreasing your risk of suffering from heart disease. You need 14 grams of total fiber for every 1,000 calories, explains the Colorado State University Extension website. Having an 1,800-calorie-per-day diet means that you need 16 grams of total fiber. A medium sized orange has approximately 3 grams of fiber, more than half of which is soluble fiber.

Good Vision
Oranges are rich in vitamin A, which includes a group of compounds that protect your eyes. Vitamin C has many benefits for eye health. It promotes healthy ocular blood vessels, and can reduce the risk of nuclear cataracts (clouding in the center of your lens that can make you see multiple images) and macular degeneration according to the American Optometric Association.

Getting 500 mg/day of vitamin C can slow the "the progression of advanced age-related macular degeneration by about 25 percent and visual acuity loss by 19 percent in individuals at high-risk for the disease," according to the Age-Related Eye Disease Study. Drinking around five cups of orange juice offers up a full day's supply of vitamin C; Orange Juice is one of the highest sources of vitamin C, according to the USDA.

Optimal Heart Function
Oranges provide potassium, an electrolyte mineral responsible for normal heart function. Potassium works with other electrolytes, including calcium, magnesium and sodium, to carefully maintain fluid levels both in and around cells. Steady fluid balance allows electricity to conduct through your system, making your heart beat. When potassium levels get too low, you may develop an abnormal heart rhythm, known as an arrhythmia. You need 4,700 milligrams of daily potassium, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. A medium, 2 1/2-inch orange offers nearly 240 milligrams of potassium.

Lower Overall Risk of Disease
Oranges, and other citrus fruits, are rich source of vitamin C. One of the roles of vitamin C is to protect cells by neutralizing free radicals. When free radicals build up in your body, they cling to healthy cells, causing permanent damage. Free radicals cause chronic diseases, like cancer and heart disease. Getting adequate amount of daily vitamin C reduces your risk of developing these chronic conditions. Women require 75 milligrams of daily vitamin C, while men need 90 milligrams, notes the Office of Dietary Supplements. You'll get more than 50 milligrams from one medium sized orange.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

Oranges Peels Have Many Uses

Did you know that there are many uses for orange peels beyond just making your garbage disposal smell better?

Keeping Feral Cats Off Your Property
Are the neighborhood’s feral cats using your lawn for their litter box? Move them elsewhere by making a mixture of orange peels and coffee grounds and distributing it around the cats’ “spots.” If they don’t take the hint, lay down a second batch and try moistening them with a bit of H2O.

Stop Ants In Their Tracks
Get rid of the ants in your garden, on your patio, and along the foundation of your home. Use a blender to make a smooth puree of a few orange peels in one cup of warm water. Slowly pour the solution into anthills and holes to send the nasty pests on their way.

Use As Mosquito Repellent
Some folks are allergic to commercial bug repellents and if you’re not crazy about the idea of rubbing onions all over yourself to keep away mosquitoes, you may be happy to know that you can often get the same results by rubbing fresh orange or lemon peels over your exposed skin. It’s said that mosquitoes and gnats are repelled by either scent.

Let’s move on to the kitchen.

Orange Peel Infused Olive Oil
It tastes great on salads or veggies. Wash your oranges really well. Zest with a microplane grater. Smaller pieces of orange rind yield more surface area, and in turn, more flavor. Use a lighter weigh extra virgin olive oil for dipping and salad dressing and a more hearty sunflower oil for cooking.    
Try infusing different kinds of citrus and herbs. 

Refrigerator Deodorizer
Slice an orange in half and remove the pulp segments. Fill the orange-half with sea salt. Place in a small bowl and keep it in your refrigerator.

Moving on to the bathroom.

Orange Extract Bath Oil
Peel 20 large oranges. Place the skin in a bowl. Set aside to dry for two hours. Run the orange peels in a food processor until they become a very dry paste, about five minutes. Put the grounded orange peels into a quart canning jar. Add 1 cup of vodka, or enough to cover the skins. Cover the jar with a lid. Put the jar in a sunny area of your home, and leave it there for about three days. Shake or invert the jar at least twice a day. Add a small amount of the liquid to your bath (just a few drops, too much can cause irritation). Orange oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as for improving skin tone and texture.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy. Direct from our trees to your home.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

Sunburst Present Chicken Thighs with Honey-Orange Glaze

You can find many recipes that feature the chicken breast meat, but here we feature chicken thighs, why? Chicken breasts and thighs vary moderately when it comes to calories. A 3-ounce serving of breasts contains 170 calories, while this same amount of thigh contains 210 calories. In similar fashion to carb content, the calories will change if you apply some form of sauce or topping to the chicken. Since this recipe calls for honey the idea is that calories are secondary to taste here. We feel the taste of the thighs enhance the addition of the honey orange glaze over that of the chicken breast.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup honey
2 teaspoon fresh grated orange zest
1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice 
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (between 12 and 16 ounces total)
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1 small bunch fresh thin sliced green onions

Directions:

In small bowl, combine honey and Sunburst fresh squeezed orange juice, orange zest, garlic and salt. 

Rinse chicken with cold water and pat dry. Season lightly with sea salt.

In large non-stick skillet, carefully heat the butter and extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. 

Add chicken and cook about 6 minutes, until well browned. 

Turn chicken; cook another 4 minutes or until just cooked through. 

Reserve several ounces of the honey-orange glaze. Pour remaining honey glaze over chicken and cook, turning chicken to coat as sauce begins to thicken, about 2 minutes. 

Plate chicken breasts with fresh honey-orange glaze spooned over the top. Your favorite fresh steamed vegetables make a perfect side dish.

Garnish with green onions slices. Consider serving over a bed of rice or rice noodles.

About 380 calories per chicken thigh.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy. Direct from our trees to your home.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

Sunburst Oranges: Pick The Right Orange For The Job.

For A Glass of Orange Juice

We all enjoy a great glass of fresh squeezed orange juice as part of our breakfast.  Did you know that the Valencia orange is the best choice for juice? The Valencia orange is the most ideal piece of fruit to squeeze at home for several reasons:

About 5 to 6 medium size oranges will make your eight ounce glass

You can squeeze a week’s worth, or more, of orange juice at a time

Make certain to keep refrigerated and do not let the orange juice become warm (heat-spiked)

The Valencia orange juice will taste great with terrific color and flavor.

Always Choose the Right Orange for the Job.

Why not use any orange for my orange juice?

The “other” popular orange is the navel orange. The most famous Navel orange, worldwide, is the California Navel orange. But the California Navel orange is grown to be eaten as fresh whole fruit and not processed into juice.

The flavor of Navel oranges can vary greatly among the different sub-varieties of Navel oranges now produced. In addition, the time of the season affects the flavor. The sugar to acid ratio (the determinant of the “sweetness and flavor” of the navel orange) can range from 8:1 to 25:1. The 8:1 ratio makes the Navel orange taste and flavor too sour and the 25:1 ratio makes the Navel orange too sweet, with a musty, over-ripe flavor.

The Navel orange can make excellent juice, but you need to consume the juice within a few hours of squeezing. Do not try to keep any Navel orange juice overnight in the refrigerator as it will be bitter tasting by tomorrow. This bitterness is due to an inherent chemical property of the Navel orange called limonin.

Why does the orange juice I buy in the store always taste the same?

The USDA sets a fairly narrow tolerance for the brix, ratio, and some of the other natural “chemical” characteristics of the orange used as the standards for the grade of “USDA orange juice” that is available for sale in the US. This standard has come to be recognized and used by most of the world.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus products you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

Sunburst Oranges Adds Jams and Marmalades

Top of the Hill Fresh Made Jams

Many of these jams, jellies and marmalades are made from produce grown on this family ranch.  They are sealed in a glass jars and can stay for about a year unopened (refrigerate after opening). The jams and jellies are freshly made from natural ingredients. Each jar has an ingredients label for your convenience. 
  
Get that hand-made, farmer's market flavor at home.

Ten flavors to choose from...take a look!

$7.50 Marmalade and Jam

Select from an assortment of flavors freshly made with fruit picked from Central California and all natural ingredients sealed in "Lead Free" glass jars made in USA.

Choose A Flavor
Orange Marmalade, Blood Orange Marmalade, Lemon Marmalade, Tangerine Marmalade, Blackberry Jam, Boysenberry Jam, 3 Berry Jam (Boysenberry,Raspberry,Blueberry), Kiwi-Strawberry Jam, White Peach Jam and Jalapeno-Apricot Jam. 8 oz. glass Mason jar 

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We have the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

Sunburst Oranges Has A YouTube Channel

To some of our fans that isn’t news, but many others have never visited https://www.youtube.com/user/SunburstOranges it is easy to do by clicking on our YouTube Orange Icon.  It is on both our web site and our blog.  It is over there to the right side of this page.  Those cute little oranges just below the “Follow Us On” text.

Our first five videos cover various techniques that we use to grow bigger and most important “better tasting” oranges for you.  They show how straight-forward practices and procedures that save water and protect the environment as well.

Our current videos are listed below;

Hedging Our Tree Rows   http://youtu.be/5ar1KFdlWIY

Topping Trees   http://youtu.be/zGElQT_ZgXo

Soil Preparation   http://youtu.be/HokLeFs7GIU

Controlling Water Usage   http://youtu.be/YoEKjY-yEcA

Handpicked Navel Oranges   http://youtu.be/WxqMpi282k4

If you or your children like to watch machinery at work, several of our videos will be sure to catch your attention.  To raise our Sunburst Navel Oranges we use several purpose built machines that are unique to orchards.

Of course we have plans for many more videos.  If you would like to request ideas for videos you would like to see, please feel free to write us with your suggestions.

If you are one of the folks out there that didn’t know that Sunburst Oranges had its very own YouTube channel we hope this blog has gotten you interested in making a visit to our video channel.  Of course, you will want to check back from time-to-time to see what we have added to the Sunburst Orange’s YouTube collection.

We will bring our new videos to your attention in our blogs and social media posts.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy. Direct from our trees to your home.

Sunburst Oranges

Your Trusted Source For Everything Citrus & Delicious

Presented By:

Sunburst Packing Co.

180 South “E” Street

Porterville, CA  93257

559-783-0500

Sunburst Oranges Not Only Taste Great But Clean Well Too!

Have you noticed that many cleaning products use natural citrus as part of their chemical make-up? Not only does the citrus product add a great aroma to the product it leaves behind a wonderful fragrance as well.

With all the high powered cleaning concoctions and laboratory made ingredients why would a company add a natural product who’s price is above that of the lab made soup? There is a very simple reason… the citrus element is an excellent cleaning product.  Not just when compared to other naturally sourced chemicals, but even when compared with the very best laboratory made cleaners.

Yes, you can purchase many different types of citrus based cleaners right on the grocery store shelves, but some of you may want one-hundred percent control over all the chemicals that are used in your products. The best way to do that is to make your own cleaning products.

Some people do this just to make sure they know what they are being exposed to and others are just plain tired of paying extra for store-bought cleaners than almost require a gas mask in order to use safely. Plus, many homemade versions work just as good, make that if not better than the commercial brands. 

To start with you can try a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water as an all-purpose cleaner. And guess what, if you miss the fancy “flavors” and scents of the store-bought cleaners you can add grated orange or lemon peels for enhanced fragrance and boost the cleaning power at the same time. There is nothing better than the fresh citrus smell of a really clean kitchen.

1 or 2 quart canning jar
1 quart white vinegar 
orange, grapefruit, lemon, or lime peels (any combination)
Optional: 3 or 4 drops of lemon, grapefruit, or orange essential oil

Fill the quart jar with sliced or chopped citrus peels. 

Fill the jar the rest of the way up with white vinegar. Seal tightly with the lid, give it a good shake, and then write the date on the lid!

Allow the peels and vinegar to steep for 2 to 3 weeks. (The longer it sits, the stronger it will get!)

After the time has elapsed, strain through a fine strainer or cheesecloth to remove any bits of citrus that might be floating in your vinegar. Dilute; one part citrus vinegar to one part water and place in a spray bottle. Buy a good one at Lowe’s or Home Depot.

You can add 3 to 4 drops of your choice of essential oil ( match contents ) if you wish at this point. It’s not absolutely necessary, but the extra citrusy-boost that the oils give the mixture, plus they also boost it’s cleaning power!

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

Sunburst Orange Flavored Cupcakes

Years ago I learned a trick for increasing the flavor in baking products. It is a simple trick of using flavored liquids rather that the water called for in a mix or recipe.

My first time was the substitution of pineapple juice in a pineapple upside down cake.  I have used that substitution many times since then.

Cupcakes are quite popular this time of year and the idea of orange flavored cupcakes just seemed like a great recipe to share.

Cupcakes
1/2 cup of room temperature unsalted butter
1 cup granulated white sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or substitute Orange extract
1 1/2 cups cake flour, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup orange juice
(You can use a mix and substitute the liquid called for with orange juice)

Frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure orange extract
2 cups confectioner’s sugar (icing or powdered sugar), sifted
1-2 tablespoons milk or light cream
(You can use premade frosting and stir in orange extract)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly butter or line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the chosen extract.

In a separate bowl sift the flour with the baking powder and salt.

With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture (in three additions) and milk (in two additions), beginning and ending with the flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter and bake for about 18 - 20 minutes or just until set and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely. With a knife or offset spatula, spread frosting on each cupcake. Garnish with orange sprinkles.  You can also garnish with orange segments. (Shown)

Makes 12 cupcakes.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy. Direct from our trees to your home.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

At Sunburst Oranges Our Roots Run Deep

From the time he was born, our President and CEO, Jim Reed, was raised as a farmer and encouraged to be an innovator. But it comes as no surprise when you realize farming and his “interest in progress” is in his DNA.

Jim’s Great-Great-Grandfather, Harmon Talley Reed, was born in 1838, and after the Civil War he was digging a water well on his farm in Ohio and struck oil instead.  “He made money from oil, sold the oil wells and invested in Iowa farmland.” Harmon did quite well with his farming pursuit and by 1872, “was the owner of a great deal of land. He owned land on which he laid out the town site of Monteith, Iowa when the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific went through in 1881." But Harmon wasn't done...

“Harmon and a partner invested in silver mine at Leadville, Colorado. When the mine came in rich, he and his wife, Louisa went to Leadville. It was a wild frontier town. Harmon lost one eye in a mine accident. The two traveled back and forth between Colorado and Iowa and finally brought their family to Leadville. On one occasion Louisa and the children were on the train when it was stopped by robbers, the women and children were told they would not be harmed if they kept quiet.

Next they moved to the Grand Valley, near Palisade, Colorado, where Harmon had peach orchards. He was influential in getting irrigation started, and was director of a bank.” “Later they moved to California where he developed lemon orchards at Whittier.” Thus began the "citrus roots" of the family tradition.

Jim’s father, Bill, had started his farming career as a potato farmer in the San Joaquin Valley. But as mechanical harvesting of potatoes began and the dynamics of the agricultural industry were changing, the prospects of growing citrus arose. As a youth, Jim started doing the jobs that must be done in the fields and groves each day. Farming is not about Child Labor Laws; farming is a lifestyle the entire family embraces.

While completing his agricultural degrees at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Jim began his own farming career. However, the first crop of his own agricultural endeavor wasn’t quite as planned: Jim planted 2 fields of non-irrigated “dry-land” farmed Barley during what turned out to be the driest of the past 54 years in San Luis Obispo County! It was back to the drawing board.

Fortunately, his farming “luck” went uphill from those first ventures and over a period of time, Jim became well entrenched in all aspects of citrus: planting and developing citrus groves, farming, packing, shipping, and marketing.

In 2009, Jim Reed handed this portion of the business to his son Mark Reed, who continues to carry on the by-products business. Today, Jim's focus has turned back to the "roots" of farming that run deep in the family tree and the inherent trait to seek out new opportunities.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We have the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

Thinking Easter Baskets, Think Sunburst Oranges Gift Boxes

Yes, it is that time of year.  Beyond religious activities we are thinking of Easter Gifts, children’s activities and our Easter menus.

At Sunburst Oranges we want you to consider many of our different products that can be used as great and healthy Easter Gifts.  Here at Sunburst Oranges we think Gift Boxes rather than just gift baskets.
  
Consider a Gift Box of delicious Navel Oranges.  The Denver area will be covered in snow this next week.  Don’t you know someone who would delight in getting an Easter Gift of California Sunshine?  Well it is very hard to ship sunshine, but you can send healthy and delicious Sunburst Oranges, that are grown in that same warm west coast sunshine.

We also feature some of the very best chocolate.  They will make wonderful gift boxes and surprising morsels and fun creatures to add to your children or grandchildren’s Easter Basket.  Add some of our clever Hedgehog chocolates to hide in your Easter grass.  You could also share some of our Assorted Truffles with your family, friends or as a great gift to business associates.

Last but not least how about our Fresh Made Marmalade and Jam as part of your Easter Celebration menus?

Select from an assortment of flavors freshly made with fruit picked from Central California and all natural ingredients sealed in "Lead Free" glass jars made in USA.

Choose A Fantastic Flavor

Orange Marmalade, Blood Orange Marmalade, Lemon Marmalade, Tangerine Marmalade, Blackberry Jam, Boysenberry Jam, 3 Berry Jam (Boysenberry, Raspberry, Blueberry), Kiwi-Strawberry Jam, White Peach Jam and Jalapeno-Apricot Jam. 8 oz. glass Mason jar 

We hope you will try our wonderful California fresh products in your upcoming Easter Holidays.  We would be honored to become part of your family traditions.

Our current special is a gift of chocolates with an order of a gift box of oranges.  Please see our website for complete details.  www.sunburstoranges.com

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We have the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

When Is The Perfect Time To Pick Oranges?

It doesn’t matter if you have just a few orange trees or hundreds of acres across many groves knowing when to pick them so they are at their peak of flavor is what this blog is all about.

With something like tomatoes you can tell much from the color and the firmness of the flesh.  This isn’t true of oranges.

Determining ripeness from orange peel color is often difficult because oranges physically respond to cold and warmth through greening. For example, warm air and soil causes the peel to have a greenish tinge, while oncoming winter cold stimulates an orange color. In general, a ripe orange has one quarter of its peel showcasing a consistent yellow to orange hue. You must observe your fruits and make an educated decision based on consistent color and the variety's typical harvest time to determine the right picking time.

At Sunburst Oranges we actually test samples to determine what fruit is truly ready to pick.

Unlike many fruits and vegetables, oranges don’t continue to mature or ripen after they are picked from the tree.

When it comes to selecting ripe orange fruit from your yard here are some tips that may help you.

Texture
Without pulling the fruits from the tree, you can determine ripeness from texture as well. By placing your hand under the fruit, slightly lift it to feel the weight. A ripe orange feels heavy with juice while the peel maintains an unyielding strength when you squeeze it. 

Any emerging soft spots indicate that the fruit is almost too ripe, or overmature. Your goal is to pick the fruits prior to any softening so that they are perfect for snacking or juicing.

Taste
Once your orange tree reaches maturity with prolific fruiting, using a simple taste test helps you determine ripeness. Avoid tasting any tempting fruits in June or July -- they will be incredibly sour from lack of sugars. Choose to taste-test in the late fall or early winter. 

By clipping the fruit from the tree, rather than pulling it, you preserve the peel's integrity. Any damage to the peel may allow unwanted pathogens to infiltrate the juicy interior. A sweet taste tells you it is time for harvesting. If you find an unripe orange, allow the rest oranges on the tree to ripen on the tree, in the sunlight -- you will have more oranges than you know what to do with when they are fully ripe.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

Do Oranges and Fetching Dog Grooming Mix?

Every-once-in-awhile you take a planned story and either throw it away or move it to a different day when something unplanned jumps out and bites you.  Today is one of those days.  I ran across this story and just had to share 

The Intergroom 2014 "The Red Carpet Show" ran Saturday, April 5th thru Monday, 7th.  To say they had a great array of dogs on display is a perfect example of an understatement.

From there website; The first Intergroom conference was held in 1981; since that time, the event has become the largest international conference of its kind in the world. Over 2,000 dog and cat groomers from over 20 different countries attend Intergroom yearly. 1997 marked the first year Intergroom was held both in the United States and in Europe.

Intergroom was founded by Shirlee Kalstone. Meeting groomers here and abroad was the inspiration for Mrs. Kalstone to begin organizing Intergroom. It was conceived as a forum for professionals from different nations to meet and exchange ideas, to improve skills and education, to encourage competition, and to raise the standards of the profession.

Beginning in 1996, many changes have taken place. Christine DeFilippo, who had served as Intergroom Program Coordinator became a full partner.

In addition to grooming competitions, the Conference features an extensive continuing education seminar series with topics of timely interest to groomers and salon managers.

Attendees also have an opportunity to view grooming and industry related products and equipment from over 150 booths at the Trade Show. "If it snips, clips, brushes, detangles, lathers, rinses, dries, or has anything to do with dog or cat hair, you will see it at Intergroom".

A quick search of the Internet turned up many photos of this style of whimsical dog grooming with way too many to show here.

So do Sunburst Navel Oranges and Fetching Dog Grooming Mix? Only in a very bizarre way, but we just had to share these great looking dogs in their very funny coats. So if we can bring you information about pentagon shaped oranges I guess we can bring you a poodle that looks like Disney’s Pluto. 

If this made you smile then we think it was a great story.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

Sunburst Oranges Decadent Chocolate Dipped Orange Segments Recipe

Yes, we know you can buy a chocolate confection in the shape of an orange, but we think dipping fresh juicy oranges into warm chocolate is even better. In fact much better!

So you can prepare your very own home made Chocolate Dipped Orange Segments here is today’s tasty recipe.

Ingredients and needed consumables:

2 large Sunburst naval oranges, peeled and segmented

4 cups dark chocolate chips

2 teaspoon of vegetable oil

Redmond Utah sea salt (you can substitute other brands of sea salt) 

Parchment paper sheets

Directions:

In a double boiler melt the chocolate chips. 

Alternate Microwave method:  cook on medium setting for 30 second intervals, repeat as needed, stirring in between, until smooth and melted. 

Then, stir in the vegetable oil and continue mixing until smooth and well combined.

Dip the (with rotation) orange segments, to the halfway point, into the melted chocolate mixture. Then place the dipped orange segments on parchment paper. Sprinkle (to taste) with the sea salt before cooling.

Let the chocolate dipped oranges set in your refrigerator for 1 hour or until the chocolate coating is firmly set.

Prep and Process Time:

1½ hours, this includes prep, cooling and chocolate set time.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. Fresh Oranges, sweet chocolate or truly unique jams and marmalades to your satisfy your tastes buds. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy. Direct from our trees to your home.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

Sunburst Oranges Is Proud To Be In Porterville

During California's Spanish period, the San Joaquin Valley was considered a remote region of little value. Emigrants skirted the eastern foothills in the vicinity of Porterville as early as 1826. Swamps stretched out into the Valley floor lush with tall rushes or "tulares" as the Indians called them.

Gold discovered in 1848 brought a tremendous migration to California, and prairie schooners rolled through Porterville between 1849 and 1852. Wagon trains of gold seekers passed through the village, but other travelers found the land rich and remained to establish farms. A store was set up in 1856 to sell goods to miners and the Indians, who lived in tribal lands along the rivers. From 1858 to 1861 it was the location of the Tule River Station of the Butterfield Overland Mail.

Royal Porter Putnam came to the village in 1860 to raise cattle, horses and hogs. He bought 40 acres of land and built a two-story store and a hotel on the highest point of the swampy property, which is now the corner of Oak and Main. The town took its name from the founder's given name because another Putnam family lived south of town.

In 1888, the Southern Pacific Railway brought in the branch line from Fresno. The Pioneer Hotel and Bank were built by businessmen from San Francisco. The town incorporated in 1902, as miners moved into the area to extract magnetite ore, and the Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1907. A City Manager-Council form of government was adopted in 1926, and a Charter was adopted. The City has grown from a community of 5,000 persons in 1920. Agriculture supplemented by the Central Valley Water Project has been the major source of economic growth in the area. The City is the center of a large farming area noted especially for citrus and livestock.

In 1854 Peter Goodhue operated a stopping place on the Stockton to Los Angeles Road on the bank of the Tule River until the river changed its course in 1862. It was also the site of the Tule River Stage Station for the Butterfield Overland Mail, from 1858 to 1861. R. Porter Putnam, bought out Goodhue in 1860, turning the station into a popular stopping place and hotel called Porter Station. The town of Porterville was founded there in 1864.

Sunburst Oranges traces its roots, in the San Joaquin Valley, back to potato farming. Bill Reed started his farming career as a potato farmer in the San Joaquin Valley. But as mechanical harvesting of potatoes began and the dynamics of the agricultural industry were changing, the prospects of growing citrus arose. As a youth, Jim Reed, Bill’s son, started doing the jobs that must be done in the fields and groves each day. Farming was not about Child Labor Laws; farming was and is a lifestyle the entire family embraces.

Now Sunburst Oranges can be your families’ source for the best oranges money can buy.

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to http://sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

Sunburst Oranges Adds Jams and Marmalades

Top of the Hill Fresh Made Jams

Many of these jams, jellies and marmalades are made from produce grown on this family ranch.  They are sealed in a glass jars and can stay for about a year unopened (refrigerate after opening). The jams and jellies are freshly made from natural ingredients. Each jar has an ingredients label for your convenience. 
  
Get that hand-made, farmer's market flavor at home.

Ten flavors to choose from...take a look!

$7.50 Marmalade and Jam

Select from an assortment of flavors freshly made with fruit picked from Central California and all natural ingredients sealed in "Lead Free" glass jars made in USA.

Choose A Flavor
Orange Marmalade, Blood Orange Marmalade, Lemon Marmalade, Tangerine Marmalade, Blackberry Jam, Boysenberry Jam, 3 Berry Jam (Boysenberry,Raspberry,Blueberry), Kiwi-Strawberry Jam, White Peach Jam and Jalapeno-Apricot Jam. 8 oz. glass Mason jar 

Are you looking for the perfect gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We have the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500

Eating Oranges Produces An AntiDiabetic Effect

Recent research has determined that two ingredients commonly found in many citrus fruits, naringin and neohesperidin, can effectively reduce blood sugar.

The study tested the two citrus constituents using human liver cells. The scientists found that the two natural compounds increase the uptake of glucose among the cells.

This study confirms previous research that pointed to the possibility that these citrus constituents may be helpful for reduce blood sugar for those with or at risk for type 2 diabetes and suffer from poor glucose control and/or heightened glucose tolerance. Other research has found these compounds also regulate liver enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase - helping glucose uptake regulation and increasing liver efficiency.

The researchers extracted the two flavonoids from the citrus fruit called Citrus changshanensis. This citrus, as well as others such as Grapefruit and related species - has been used as an anti-diabetic agent in traditional Indian Ayurveda and other Asian medicines.

The naringin and neohesperidin compounds were found throughout the fruit part of the citrus, including the juice sacs and the segments. Another study found that the lemon and orange peel contained the highest naringin and neohesperidin content.

Several other citrus fruits contain naringin and neohesperidin. This doesn't mean that orange juice necessarily contains naringin and neohesperidin. A 2000 study from the Citrus Research and Education Center tested a number of orange juices using liquid chromatography. The analysis found that the two 100% orange juice samples tested contained neither naringin nor neohesperidin. However, juice samples that contained orange juice together with small amounts of grapefruit juice, sour orange (Citrus aurantium) juice and K-Early citrus juice did contain naringin and neohesperidin.

Other research has determined that the common sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) will typically contain naringin and will typically not contain neohesperidin. Sour oranges (Citrus aurantium) – especially when picked early, will contain considerable amounts of naringin and neohesperidin. Mandarin oranges (Citrus Reticulata) are also good sources for both naringin and neohesperidin.

Lemons and limes typically do not contain either compound in lieu of their hesperidin content, but a few species – such as the Bergamot - will contain naringin and possibly small amounts of neohesperidin.

In addition to its anti-diabetic properties, naringen has been found in laboratory studies to be neuro-protective. It appears to protect against the effects of 3-nitropropionic acid, which has been found to be one of the primary agents that produce nerve damage in Huntington's disease and other nerve disorders.

Are you looking for the perfect healthy gift for business associates, family or friends? A quick visit to sunburstoranges.com can solve all of your fresh gift giving adventures. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Packing Co.
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-783-0500
sunburstoranges.com