Happy New Year

Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Sunburst Oranges Presents: Orange Pie

This delightful and refreshing meringue-topped pie is an orange lover 's delight. Fresh orange juice and orange rind are stirred into the custard filling.

Orange Pie

 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust
 3 egg yolks, beaten
 1/2 cup white sugar
 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
 1 tablespoon butter, melted
 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
 1 cup orange juice
 3 egg whites
 6 tablespoons white sugar
 1 large orange, sliced in rounds

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (225 degrees C).

In a medium bowl, beat together egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar until mixture is thick and lemon-colored. Add flour, melted butter, grated orange rind, and orange juice. Mix thoroughly, then pour into pastry shell.

Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake an additional 25 minutes, until custard is set.

In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add 6 tablespoons sugar, continuing to beat until whites form stiff peaks. Spread meringue over pie, covering completely. Return to oven for 10 minutes, until meringue is golden brown. Cool before serving. Garnish with orange slices.

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 Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Sunburst Oranges Can Bring Happy Customers and Satisfied Employees

Happy employees mean higher productivity. Yes, It’s that simple.

Employees are your most valuable resource. So? Give ‘em some motivation. For every bright idea, money saving recommendation, or act of selflessness done in betterment of the company your employees should be rewarded. Use rewards to promote a culture of increased employee engagement and recognition.

If rewards work for employees think how they can affect customer retention.  The size of your customer account can give you a profitable guide to the size of their reward.

Sunburst can give you a very different type of reward from the typical gift that other companies may be giving out.

We are all familiar with the old adage that the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach applies to people everywhere.

Yes, food is one of the ways you can show someone (like your customers and employees) that you care for them. But is food the only way to a man’s heart? 

Or does it simply make the man notice her? Does food have the power to decide the future course of a relationship? How could food be the only deciding factor? It is one of them, maybe. But obviously, a man has to like so many other things in a woman before he falls in love with her.

If for a moment I believe that this archaic adage is true for a moment, does it mean that the day the meal is not up to the mark, the man will shun the provider? 

If this was indeed true, then all men would only want to marry women who are chefs. And when a man goes to meet a girl for the first time, instead of asking her “Tell me a little about yourself,” or “What are some of your likes and dislikes?” he will produce a long list of dishes he wants his prospective bride to prepare. Maybe a reality show will spring out of it: Cook for a Husband, where prospective brides will cook for a man in a series of culinary tests and the winner gets to marry the guy and continue to cook for him the rest of his life.

But, a gift that comes from your company that is delicious will be appreciated by your customer and employee alike. Sunburst Oranges has all the great items that will be a gift that will keep you top of mind.

"Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand."
  ~ Mother Teresa

If you are 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 Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

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

Merry Christmas

Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Sunburst Oranges Presents:Wassail - Christmas Punch

This fragrant Wassail Recipe will usher you into the spirit of the holiday in no time. A slow cooked cider with an enchanting deep and fruity sweetness. Great for holiday gatherings. Using a slow-cooker to prepare this allows the aroma to be savored for hours.

Wassail - Christmas Punch

Ingredients
 2 quarts apple cider
 2 cups fresh squeezed orange juice
 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
 1 sunburst oranges studded with 12 whole cloves
 4 cinnamon sticks
 1 pinch ground ginger
 1 pinch ground nutmeg

Directions
In a slow-cooker or a large pot over low heat, combine apple cider, orange juice and lemon juice. Season with ginger, nutmeg and float the orange with cloves. Bring to a simmer. If using a slow cooker, allow to simmer all day. Serve hot.

Recipe makes 12 servings

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 Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Sunburst Oranges and Christmas Bells

If you have ever watched the Christmas movie It's a Wonderful Life, a 1946 American Christmas fantasy comedy-drama film produced and directed by Frank Capra, based on the short story "The Greatest Gift", which Philip Van Doren Stern wrote in 1939 and published privately in 1945. The film is now considered one of the most popular films in American cinema and due to numerous television showings in the 1980s has become traditional viewing during the Christmas season. You are no doubt familiar with the quote that Zuzu Bailey says: Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.

Bells, especially Church Bells, have traditionally been associated with Christmas for a long time. In the Anglican and Catholic churches, the church day starts at sunset, so any service after that is the first service of the day. So a service on Christmas Eve after sunset is traditionally the first service of Christmas day! In churches that have a Bell or Bells, They are often rung to signal the start of this service.

Bells play an important part in other areas of celebrating Christmas. Some people probably picture Santa’s reindeer with bells draped over them for decoration. Santa might also use bells to help find the reindeer in the dark or in the fog or snow.

And bells have always had a place in Christmas songs. The famous Christmas hymn I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day began as a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in the 1860’s. The poem was actually about the tragedy one felt during the civil war.

In some churches in England, it is traditional that the largest bell in the church is rung four times in the hour before midnight and then at midnight all the bells are rung in celebration.

In the Catholic Church, Christmas is the only time that Mass is allowed to be held at Midnight. This is because in the early church, it was believed that Jesus was born at midnight, although there has never been any proof of this! A lot of Churches have midnight services on Christmas Eve, although not every church will have a mass or communion as part of the service.

In many Catholic countries such as France, Spain and Italy, the midnight mass service is very important and everyone tries to go to a service.

In Victorian times, it was very fashionable to go carol singing with small handbells to play the tune of the carol. Sometimes there would only be the bells and no singing! Handbell ringing is still popular today.

The Hershey company has a commercial that debuted in 1989 and they continue to run during the holidays that the Hershey kisses get in on the handbell act. See on YouTube http://youtu.be/m9L-_EMuGRU

The Wizards of Winter also do some beautiful handbell Christmas performances as well. One of their YouTube shows are http://youtu.be/USFTQBycjmU?list=PLjRLQvH6Ze69y3z9YD3ZQ772uWsTF04cm

If you are 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 Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Do You Need a Last Minute Gift

Do you need a last minute holiday gift. Did you know that we have many more items than just citrus fruit?

Chocolates are always a great gift for just about everyone. Stafford’s Famous Chocolates presents a tempting array of luscious confections sure to please everyone’s palate.

The Sunburst Orange Truffles are mouth watering delights. But we have a wide variety of chocolates to choose from.

Taste of the Valley box includes the signature items of the Santa Ynez Valley. The box contains Dark Chocolate Red Wine Truffles, Dark Chocolate Lavender Truffles, Ooey Gooey Bites, and homemade Sea Salt Caramels.

These decadent truffles have a sweet creamy ganache center infused with either Santa Ynez Valley red wine, or feature other elegant flavors ranging from Mocha Espresso to French Lavender.

Choose from a variety of our organic crunchy nut clusters including Spanish peanuts, California walnuts and fresh roasted almonds. These creamy caramels are hand crafted from scratch using only the freshest ingredients.

Exotic Sea Salt Caramels features all natural infused salts using flavors from an ancient seabed high in the Himalayas to the spicy soul and sizzle of Baja Mexico. This combination is sure to leave a lasting impression.

The English Toffee is handmade using only the best all natural ingredients. This rich crunchy buttery toffee is hand dipped and then rolled in a bed of chopped golden California almonds.

If you are 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 Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Sunburst Oranges Is Checking Our List

No, not that list.  We leave that up to Santa.  We our checking our list to make sure we are getting out all of the last minute holiday gifts. Did you know that we have many more items than just citrus fruit?

We have flavored black teas, chocolates, jams, marmalades, honey and nuts.  I might add you will have to look long and hard to find anything that is near to our delicious flavors and quality.

Of course we have lemons, pomegranates and many types and different combinations of oranges that are ready to ship out by USPS Priority mail.

When it comes to our chocolates the creation of the Sunburst Orange Truffle is the newest of these mouth-watering delights.

All of our caramels, toffee, nuts and chews and truffles are handmade daily with only the freshest and finest ingredients. Some of the ingredients are grown right here in the San Joaquin Valley of California.

Our Black Teas are unsurpassed in quality and chosen under the scrutiny of an expert, only the finest ingredients go into Sunburst teas.

Our teas are packaged in transparent pyramid sachets made of bio-degradable and compostable starch material. The string and tag are attached by ultrasonic sealing without the use of glue.

We have chosen a select line of ‘Black Teas’ to complement all of our citrus, fruits, honey, preserves, candies and nuts.

Sunburst Oranges is proud to bring you this fine orange blossom honey from the heart of the California citrus belt. Enjoy the delicate nuances of orange in all your favorite recipes. Savor the essence of sweet citrus while relaxing with your favorite tea.

The honey is a perfect complement to your favorite tea or lemonade – it's light and fragrant characteristics are sure to please the palate.

The Naked Nut brand seeks out the best of what California and the local San Joaquin Valley has to offer... wrapping it up for you with a smile.

All of our Natural Raw 8 oz packages of Nuts and Dried Fruit are available for purchase to enjoy all the health benefits they provide. 

Visit sunburstoranges.com so you can fill your shopping cart with our wonderful selections and bring them into your home for the holidays!

If you are 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 Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Sunburst Oranges Has Cara Cara Navel Oranges

Cara Cara oranges, are a variety of navel oranges. They were first discovered in 1976 at Hacienda Cara Cara in Venezuela and introduced in California during the 1980s. This special orange is juicy, low in acid, seedless, and, some say, has a berry like flavor. The name “cara cara” means “beloved” in Italian. When selecting cara cara navel oranges, make sure the fruit is firm, heavy for its size, and has a pleasant sweet smell.

Scars or imperfect coloring do not reveal anything about the fruit’s flavor. When storing, keep in a cool, well-ventilated place. They can last 3-4 days in room temperature and up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Like other naval oranges, cara cara oranges have a partially developed fruit enclosed inside the larger orange. A good orange will feel heavy for its size, indicating that it is very juicy. The season for these oranges peaks at the height of winter, meaning that they are available primarily in December and January in the Northern Hemisphere. Unlike the blood orange, another orange with a distinctive pigment, the rind of the cara cara does not betray the color of the interior, and is typically a bright, glossy orange.

The flavor is more complex than most navel varieties and has been described as evoking notes of cherry, rose petal, orange, and blackberry.

While you can get oranges year round in the grocery store, and even at many farmers markets, Winter is the peek season for California’s cara cara navel oranges, and many other citrus – like blood oranges, pomelos, mandarins, and oro blanco grapefruits. These brightly colored beauties are bursting with vitamin C just when the cooler and damp weather has us shut up indoors and more susceptible to getting sick. Just one Cara Cara orange provides 150% of the daily recommended value of vitamin C and 30% of vitamin A!  Because our bodies cannot store vitamin C, it is important for us to regularly consume it. 

These oranges can be used in a variety of ways. Their slightly berry-like, sweet flavor tastes delicious when eaten alone and in fruit salads, and the oranges can also be juiced, eaten with yogurt or granola, or cooked into jams, jellies, and other spreads.

Oranges are also an important source of fiber, especially when eaten whole. The cara cara orange is also a good source of folate and potassium, and a natural source of Lycopene, the disease-fighting antioxidant that may be helpful in preventing some cancers and protecting against cardiovascular disease. Lycopene, in fact, gives the fruit its dark, rich coloring. On a rare occasion, the trees will yield multicolored-leafed twigs instead of their usual green leaves. If the twigs are left to grow and fruit, they can sometimes produce fruits with a striped rind.

If you are 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 Oranges

180 South “E” Street

Porterville, CA  93257

559-561-3391

Sunburst Oranges Presents: Almond Orange Shortbread

A flavorful twist to this holiday favorite. They're the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea in the afternoon or morning! Make them today and freeze them for up to three months.

Ingredients
1/2 cup superfine sugar
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup rice flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 ounces ground almonds
1-1/2 cups unsalted butter, cold, in cubes
1 cup candied orange peel, chopped
24 whole blanched almonds

Directions
Pre-heat oven to 275 F. Place sugar, flour, rice flour, salt and ground almonds into a food processor. Pulse briefly to combine. Add butter and process briefly until combined. The mixture should remain granular...do not mix it until it forms a ball. Scrape mixture into a bowl and add candied orange peel. Knead to form a dough. Divide dough in half and roll each half into a 7" round. Place round on ungreased baking sheet. Using the tines of a fork, prick all over. With a knife gently draw lines to mark the rounds into 12 wedges. Place a whole almond on each wedge. Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until creamy color. Cool completely on a cooling rack and gently break into wedges.

Makes about 24

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 Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Sunburst Oranges Has An Alternative Gift List

We are all familiar with the Twelve Days of Christmas song.  We know that the list has twelve characters used in the various verses. They are the well-known; Partridge in a Pear Tree, Two Turtle Doves, Three French Hens, Four Calling Birds, Five Golden Rings, Six Geese a Laying, Seven Swans a Swimming, Eight Maids a Milking, Nine Ladies Dancing, Ten Lords a Leaping, Eleven Pipers Piping and of course, last but not least, Twelve Drummers Drumming.

Several places have calculated the cost of currently doing this famous Christmas list and have arrived at new figure. PNC Wealth Management has once again calculated what the price of each gift in the Christmas classic, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” would be in today’s economy.

A 31-year holiday tradition, PNC’s 2014 Christmas Price Index reveals a hefty price tag if one were to purchase all of the gifts in the song for his or her “true love.” The total cost would come in at $27,673.22, a $280.05 increase over last year’s CPI.

If you are looking to do this twelve Days of Christmas we can suggest a list of items for Your True Love from Sunburst Oranges that will keep your cost in line with a near budget Christmas.

Here we go, start with a jar of Honey ($8.00). Two Flavored Black Teas ($33.90), Three packages of Premium Dried Fruit ($18.00), Four Boxes of Assorted Chocolate Hedgehogs, just ($88.00), Five locally grown in California bags of Pistachios ($41.25) Six Beautiful Pomegranates delivered in a re-usable canvas bag with a matching apron. Also included is a cutting board with ceramic knife ready to cut open and enjoy all the benefits and flavor this amazing fruit has to offer ($49.95). Select Seven from an assortment of 10 flavors of Jams & Marmalades ($52.50), Eight items in our Lemonade Kit which Contains: Reed Family lemonade recipe, 6 Sunburst Lemons, a cutting board, hand squeezer and 1-16 oz. jar of Sunburst Orange Blossom honey w/wooden honey dipper ($45.00), Nine bags of Fresh Raw California Almonds grown in the San Joaquin Valley. A good source for Calcium and the antioxidant Vitamin E. Naturally 100% gluten Free ($63.00), Ten boxes of Exotic Sea Salt Caramels This assortment features all natural infused salts using flavors from an ancient seabed high in the Himalayas to the spicy soul and sizzle of Baja Mexico. This combination is sure to leave a lasting impression ($80.00), Eleven bags of Fresh Raw California Walnuts grown in the San Joaquin Valley. They are a great source for Protein and fiber. Just one ounce of walnuts is a powerhouse of important nutrients for optimum health. ($88.00), and finally Twelve deliciously sweet oranges. Delivered in a kraft box for a delightful surprise that could brighten up anyone's Christmas day ($10.95)

At just $578.55 that is a savings of over $27,090 dollars over the standard 12 Days of Christmas. We told you that Sunburst Oranges was the place to shop for the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Our tasty treats are so much better than a house full of birds and water fowl, let alone all of those leaping lords and milking maids.

If you are 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 Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

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

Sunburst Oranges Shows Plucky In The Rain

If you haven’t heard, parts of California are getting much needed rain in the last couple of days. This will help relieve the drought in a small way.  It will take many days of gentle rain to get us caught up on needed rainfall.

Plucky let me know that California has been experiencing the worse drought in more than 1,200 years. That is dry folks.

Any rainfall is good for our citrus we grow here in the San Joaquin Valley and we are sure thankful to get it.  I guess we can think of this as our Christmas Present.  

Speaking of presents have you thought of giving fresh boxes of citrus to your family and friends that are in the “Cold belt” of the country? Sunburst Oranges has many different types of yummy gifts. 

Here is just some of our great items; oranges, lemons, pomegranates, honey, jams, chocolates, flavored black teas and tasty nut selections.

We ship most items USPS and you know what they say about them “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” So we know your order will get to where it is going.

Support Our Troops

Do you know someone in the military currently serving our country? Show your support and let them know they are remembered. Whether a husband, a friend, a father, a son, daughter or other family member, the arrival of a box of delicious oranges will brighten the day and bring a smile to all who share. 

Sunburst Oranges is a thoughtful and delicious way to say ‘Thanks’!

Choose from the medium or large box with no additional shipping costs.

Get the Party Started!

A box of Sunburst Oranges shipped in our super-saver value pack is the perfect size for events and get-togethers. Try a box at your next family reunion, block party, church gathering, beach party, company picnics, a camping trip or just to have at home or the office. 

A box of oranges complements almost any occasion. And a healthy treat when it is your turn to bring the snacks for your Little League or youth football team.

If you are 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 Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Sunburst Oranges Celebrates “Poinsettia Day”

The Poinsettia was discovered in Southern Mexico by American botanist Joel Roberts Poinsett, whose death is commemorated by Poinsettia Day. The scientific name for the Poinsettia is Euphorbia Pulcherrima.

This is the beautiful plant we've come to associate with Christmas. Officially December 12th is Poinsettia Day. The date marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett, an American botanist, physician and Minister to Mexico who in 1828 sent cuttings of the plant he'd discovered in Southern Mexico to his home in Charleston, South Carolina. 

In July of 2002, the House of Representatives created Poinsettia Day, passing a Resolution to honor Paul Ecke Jr. who is considered the father of the poinsettia industry. It was Paul Ecke's discovery of a technique which causes seedlings to branch that allowed the Poinsettia industry to flourish. 

It may come as a surprise to hear that every year, Poinsettias contribute upwards of $250,000,000 to the U.S. economy-at the wholesale level! Poinsettias are the best selling potted plant in the U.S. and Canada. 

The Ecke's technique remained a secret until the 1990s when a university researcher discovered and published the formula. Both Paul Ecke Sr. and Paul Ecke Jr. worked tirelessly to promote the plant and its association with Christmas. Today their ranch, situated in Encinitas, California is run by Paul Ecke the third.

In Mexico the plant is called La Flor de la Nochebuena or, Flower of the Holy Night and is displayed in celebration of the December 12th, Dia de la Virgen. White Poinsettia. Use of the plant to celebrate Christmas in Mexico dates back to the 17th century. 

The flower connects to the legend of a young girl, distraught about not having anything with which to honor the Baby Jesus in a Christmas Procession. An angel tells her that any gift given with love is a wonderful gift. Later the weeds she gathers by the roadside to place around the manger miraculously transform into the beautiful red star flower we think of as Poinsettia. But Mexico's relationship to the plant goes back even further. 

The Aztecs called the plant Cuitlaxochitl meaning "star flower" and used it to produce a red dye. The sap was also used to control fevers. Montezuma, last of the Aztec king had Poinsettias delivered to him in by caravan to what is now Mexico City.

Even though the flowers are red you want to look for green, a dark green to be exact. Look at the leaves because fallen or damaged leaves indicate poor handling or fertilization, lack of water or a root disease problem. You want your flowers to be in proportion to the plant and pot size. The plant should be 2 1/2 times taller than the diameter of the container.

Sometimes when you go to the store the plants have paper or plastic around them. Ditch those. Those plants will not thrive or do well. Plants that are placed close together aren't a good option for you. Crowding isn't healthful.

If you are 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 Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Sunburst Oranges Presents: Candied Orange Peel

These deliciously sweet and tart candies are wonderful when dipped in white or dark chocolate. They also make for beautiful garnishes on a whipped cream-covered pound cake. Many holiday recipes call for candied orange peel.

Ingredients
6 thick-skinned navel oranges
4 1/2 cups sugar, plus extra for rolling
1 1/2 cups water

Directions
Cut tops and bottoms off of the orange and score the orange into quarters, cutting down only into the peel and not into the fruit. Peel the skin and pith of the orange in large pieces, use the orange for another recipe. Cut the peel into strips about 1/4-inch wide. Put the orange peel in a large saucepan with cold water to cover, bring to a boil over high heat. Then pour off the water. Repeat 1 or 2 more times depending up how assertive you want the orange peels to be. (Many people like the texture of a 3 time blanch best, it also mellowed any bitterness. But it is a matter of preference.) Remove the orange peels from the pan.

Whisk the sugar with 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8 to 9 minutes (If you took the sugar's temperature with a candy thermometer it would be at the soft thread stage, 230 to 234 degrees F.) Add the peels and simmer gently, reducing heat to retain a simmer. Cook until the peels get translucent, about 45 minutes. Resist the urge to stir the peels or you may introduce sugar crystals into the syrup. If necessary, swirl the pan to move the peels around. Drain the peels, (save the syrup for ice tea.) Roll the peels in sugar and dry on a rack, for 4 to 5 hours. Wrap and freeze up to 2 months.

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 Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Sunburst Oranges Remembers Pearl Harbor December 7th 1941

We don’t post blogs on Saturday and Sunday so today, Monday December 8th is the closest day to honor those military and civilians who lost their lives to the attack. 

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941, it was December 8th in Japan. The attack led to the United States' entry into World War II.

The attack was intended as a preventive action in order to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with military actions the Empire of Japan was planning in Southeast Asia against overseas territories of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States. There were simultaneous Japanese attacks on the U.S.-held Philippines and on the British Empire in Malaya, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

The attack started at 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian Time. The base was attacked by 353 Japanese fighter planes, bombers, and torpedo planes in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers.

All eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, with four being sunk. All but one, the Arizona were later raised, and six of the eight battleships were returned to service and went on to fight in the war. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer. 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 others were wounded. Important base installations such as the power station, shipyard, maintenance, and fuel and torpedo storage facilities, as well as the submarine piers and headquarters building were not attacked.

USS Arizona was a Pennsylvania-class battleship built for and by the United States Navy in the mid-1910s. Named in honor of the 48th state's recent admission into the union, the ship was the second and last of the Pennsylvania-class of "super-dreadnought" battleships. Although commissioned in 1916, the ship remained stateside during World War I. Shortly after the end of the war, Arizona was one of a number of American ships that briefly escorted President Woodrow Wilson to the Paris Peace Conference. The ship was sent to Turkey in 1919 at the beginning of the Greco-Turkish War to represent American interests for several months. Several years later, she was transferred to the Pacific Fleet and remained there for the rest of her career.

Aside from a comprehensive modernization in 1929–31, Arizona was regularly used for training exercises between the wars, including the annual Fleet Problems (training exercises). When an earthquake struck Long Beach, California, in 1933, Arizona 's crew provided aid to the survivors. Two years later, the ship was featured in a Jimmy Cagney film, Here Comes the Navy, about the romantic troubles of a sailor. In April 1940, she and the rest of the Pacific Fleet were transferred from California to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as a deterrent to Japanese imperialism.

Are you looking for the perfect healthy 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 Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Sunburst Oranges Says Just Add Lemons

It's Lemonade Season!

Lemonade Kit
Contains: Reed Family lemonade recipe, 6 Sunburst Lemons, a cutting board, hand squeezer and 1-16 oz. jar of Sunburst Orange Blossom honey w/wooden honey dipper.  $45.00

Lemonade Refill Bag
Contains 12 Sunburst Lemons (makes approx. 2 batches of Lemonade) $19.95

Lemon Garnish Bag
Contains: 6 Sunburst Lemons. Keep lemons on hand for your tea, gourmet foods or drinks. $10.95

"Sunburst Lemon FALL Special"
A box of lemons shipped directly to your home every two weeks. You will receive an email when it is time to re-order, 2 weeks after your first shipment. Contains approx. 24 lemons per box. $30.00

From lemonade to your favorite recipes, purchase lemons for any occasion just by selecting the amount you need by visit to http://sunburstoranges.com or calling 559-561-3391. You can also purchase them in bulk, with our "Sunburst Lemon Fall Special" and have them sent directly to your home every two weeks. We sell only the finest selections and the freshest citrus you can buy.

Presented By:
Sunburst Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

What Medical Uses Does Honey Have?

At Sunburst Oranges we are proud to sell a great honey selection and we thought we would share some information about how honey is considered to be a very healthy and beneficial product.

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. But whether it does the same in people hasn't been proven.

When you shop for honey and you'll see that some are lighter, others are darker. In general, the darker the honey, the better its antibacterial and antioxidant power.

Honey comes in many varieties, depending on the floral source of pollen or nectar gathered and regurgitated by the honey bee upon arrival in the hive.

Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is made in New Zealand from the nectar of Leptospermum scoparium. It's the basis of Medihoney, which the FDA approved in 2007 for use in treating wounds and skin ulcers. It works very well to stimulate healing, says wound care specialist Frank Bongiorno, MD, of Ann Arbor, Mich.

"Medihoney has been our standard for healing wounds in the past year, since it started coming on the market," Bongiorno says. A healing wound, whether chronic or acute, is a clean, granulating wound that is absent of bacteria and swelling. Bongiorno doesn't use Medihoney for burns because it can cause pain.

Bongiorno has visited Haiti, where people use ordinary honey for wounds, and although it isn't harmful, it doesn't have the impact of Medihoney, which is purified with ultraviolet light rather than heat. Its antibacterial action is better preserved, he says.

That, of course, is useful in treating wounds, but it is Manuka honey's pH content, which leans toward acidic, that helps the healing process, says Bongiorno, who has no ties to Medihoney's maker. "It is soothing and feels good to the wound.''

Honey and Allergies

Some laboratory studies suggest honey has the potential to clear up stuffy noses and ease allergies triggered by pollen. But it's a bit of a stretch to apply that to patients, says New Jersey allergist Corinna Bowser, MD.

Bowser says she doesn't consider the studies on honey and congestion to be adequate, for a few reasons: most allergy sufferers are sensitive to wind-carried pollens like grass and ragweed -- the kind not carried by bees and transformed into honey.

"If you want to treat someone for common allergies, it's not commonly found in bee honey," Bowser says.

"Even if there are allergens in the honey, it wouldn't make a difference, because it gets broken down by stomach acids and doesn't trigger an immunological response," Bowser says. In contrast, "The pills we take for allergies are coated so they don't get broken down," she says.

Honey and the Common Cold

Maryland family doctor Ariane Cometa, MD, who describes herself as a holistic practitioner, likes to use a buckwheat honey-based syrup to ease early symptoms of a cold. She says it calms inflamed membranes and eases a cough -- the latter claim supported by a few studies.

In a study that involved 139 children, honey beat out dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant) and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine) in easing nighttime cough in children and improving their sleep.

Another study involving 105 children found that buckwheat honey trumped dextromethorphan in suppressing nighttime coughs.

Are you looking for the perfect healthy 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 Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Famous Orange Bowl Parade

Sunburst Oranges doesn’t claim any relation to the Famous Orange Bowl Parade that is held every year in the Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. This bowl game is sponsored by Capital One and part of the College Football Playoff.

It has been played annually since January 1, 1935 and celebrated its 75th playing on January 1, 2009. The Orange Bowl, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Sun Bowl, are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl (first played 1902, played annually since 1916)

But since the name is about oranges Sunburst Oranges thought it might be a good day to talk about it.

The game was previously officially known as the Discover Orange Bowl, since Discover Financial was announced as title sponsor on August 26, 2010 as part of a new four-year agreement. The game had been called the FedEx Orange Bowl from 1989 to 2010, as FedEx sponsored the event during that period. Starting with the 2010–11 season, ESPN carried the Orange Bowl, replacing Fox after four seasons. ABC aired the game from 1999 to 2006, with CBS (1995–1998) and NBC (1964–1994) previously carrying the game.

Discover stated that they would not renew their sponsorship of the game further on June 9, 2014; the game will be a part of the College Football Playoff in the future, and CFP rights-holder ESPN has asked for higher sponsorship fees, in return. A new game sponsor is currently being sought. On September 22, 2014, Capital One was announced as the new title sponsor of the Orange Bowl.

Did you know there is also a Junior Orange Bowl?

The Junior Orange Bowl is a non-profit organization based in Coral Gables, Florida that holds the Junior Orange Bowl International Youth Festival, a series of events held for the Youth of South Florida and the World. The oldest and most popular event of the Junior Orange Bowl International Youth Festival is the Junior Orange Bowl Parade in downtown Coral Gables.

Known as "The Largest International Youth Sports and Arts Festival,” the Junior Orange Bowl Youth Festival blossomed in 1948 when the first Junior Orange Bowl Parade journey through beautiful downtown Coral Gables. This was the beginning of a festival that is totally dedicated to "Celebrating Youth".

The first Junior Orange Bowl Queen, Sandy Wirth, was selected in 1951. The 12- and 13-year-old girls were, and continue to be, judged on poise, personality and presentation. Presently, preliminary pageants take place from Key West to as far north as Vero Beach. In 1959 the Junior Orange Bowl Committee was officially formed.

Rather than an Orange Bowl you should also consider getting a bowl of oranges from Sunburst Oranges.

Are you looking for the perfect healthy 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 Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Sunburst Oranges Presents: Chocolate Orange Cookie (Orangenschokoplaetzchen)

A favorite Christmas cookie recipe that comes from Germany is this one for Orange and Chocolate Crispy Cookies. Grated, not melted, chocolate makes them speckled, but not like true chocolate chip cookies. Orange zest in the dough and a smooth orange glaze marries two classic tastes together. Absolutely delicious on the cookie tray.

Makes 5 dozen cookies

Ingredients

Dough
9 T. butter 
1/2 c. + 2 T. sugar 
1 egg 
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. orange zest 
4 oz. semisweet chocolate, grated 
1 2/3 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder

Glaze
2 - 3 T. orange juice
1/2 c. powdered sugar

Directions
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, salt and orange zest or extract.

Add grated chocolate and mix well. Add the flour and baking powder and mix until a stiff dough is formed.

The dough should be wrapped and refrigerated at this point to make it easier to handle. If you are in a hurry, place the ball of dough in the freezer for 15 minutes or so, so that it is not too sticky when you roll it out.

Flour a clean work space, working with part of the dough, roll out to between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out cookies with a cookie cutter. The classic shape is round or a fluted, round shape, but you can use any shape you want.

Place the cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 - 12 minutes at 350°F.

Cool the cookies on a rack, then mix the orange juice and powdered sugar together until smooth. Brush the glaze on the underside of the cookies and let dry on the rack before you pack them in a jar or box with a tight-fitting lid. These cookies will keep for 1 - 2 weeks at room temperature or freeze for longer.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 12 minutes Total Time: 27 minutes

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 Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391

Sunburst Oranges Says Get Healthy Fiber From Oranges

Oranges are one of the most widely consumed and economically important fruits in the United States. Although the average American eats about 9 pounds of fresh oranges a year, per capita consumption of orange juice is nearly four times higher. Like the whole fruit, orange juice is an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of potassium. If you’re looking for fiber, however, drinking orange juice just doesn’t compare with eating whole oranges, fiber-wise that is.

One medium-sized peeled orange provides about 60 calories and 3 grams of fiber, or 12 percent of the daily value. For 85 calories, a 1-cup serving of peeled, sectioned orange -- about the equivalent of a large fruit -- delivers 4.3 grams of fiber, or 17 percent of the daily value. 

Oranges are generally considered a good source of fiber because an average-sized fruit supplies at least 10 percent of the daily value. While smaller specimens are good sources of fiber relative to the number of calories they contain, they don’t contribute as significantly toward your total fiber intake. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a small peeled orange has about 45 calories and just over 2 grams of fiber.

Oranges are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. According to USDA data, just under 60 percent of the fiber in a peeled orange is insoluble, the type that gives fiber its reputation as “nature’s broom.” Insoluble fiber binds to water and helps sweep material through the intestinal tract more efficiently. It also promotes bowel regularity by generating stools that are larger, softer and easier to eliminate. Just over 40 percent of the fiber in a peeled orange is soluble, the kind that dissolves in water to form a viscous, or gel-like, substance. 

Soluble fiber delays gastric emptying, which can help you feel fuller longer and keep your blood sugar levels under control. Oranges are also a good source of pectin, a type of soluble fiber that’s particularly effective at reducing high cholesterol levels.

Did you know that orange peels are edible, high in fiber and a rich source of limonoids and other antioxidant compounds. 

For about 100 calories, an average-sized unpeeled orange provides just over 7 grams of fiber, or 29 percent of the daily value. The rind’s spongy white interior is also a significant source of cholesterol-lowering pectin, according to the book “Wellness Foods A to Z.” Orange juice, on the other hand, is not a significant source of dietary fiber. One cup of freshly squeezed orange juice is about 24 percent higher in calories and 90 percent lower in fiber than a 1-cup serving of orange segments.

You might say the message is clear – eat more whole oranges.

According to a recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans, most adults in the United States get just 15 grams of fiber a day. Replacing your daily glass of orange juice with a whole orange is a simple way to boost your healthy fiber intake.

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 Oranges
180 South “E” Street
Porterville, CA  93257
559-561-3391