Stores Are Selling “Fake” Honey

A story reported by Food Safety News (http://www.foodsafetynews.com) alerts consumers to the Honey being sold by many national chain stores has been altered to the point that it is no longer honey as defined by the USDA.

More than three-fourths of the honey sold in U.S. grocery stores isn’t exactly what the bees produce, according to testing done exclusively for Food Safety News. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration says that any product that’s been ultra-filtered and no longer contains pollen isn’t honey. However, the FDA isn’t checking honey sold here to see if it contains pollen.

The results show that the pollen frequently has been filtered out of products labeled “honey.”

The removal of these microscopic particles from deep within a flower would make the nectar flunk the quality standards set by most of the world’s food safety agencies.

The food safety divisions of the  World Health Organization, the European Commission and dozens of others also have ruled that without pollen there is no way to determine whether the honey came from legitimate and safe sources.

Ultra filtering is a high-tech procedure where honey is heated, sometimes watered down and then forced at high pressure through extremely small filters to remove pollen, which is the only foolproof sign identifying the source of the honey. It is a spin-off of a technique refined by the Chinese, who have illegally dumped tons of their honey – some containing illegal antibiotics – on the U.S. market for years.

Food Safety News purchased more than 60 jars, jugs and plastic bears of honey in 10 states and the District of Columbia.

The contents were analyzed for pollen by Vaughn Bryant, a professor at Texas A&M University and one of the nation’s premier melissopalynologists, or investigators of pollen in honey.

Bryant, who is director of the Palynology Research Laboratory, found that among the containers of honey provided by Food Safety News:

76 percent of samples bought at groceries had all the pollen removed, These were stores like TOP Food, Safeway, Giant Eagle, QFC, Kroger, Metro Market, Harris Teeter, A&P, Stop & Shop and King Soopers.

100 percent of the honey sampled from drugstores like Walgreens, Rite-Aid and CVS Pharmacy had no pollen.

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy gift for a 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 and Honey Bee Information

Since we are featuring Honey this week I think we should learn some honey bee facts, after all so many healing and health-promoting opportunities for the humans begin with this little busy creature.

Foraging bees have to fly about 55,000 miles to produce a pound of honey, visiting around 2 million flowers.

Approximately one third of all the food Americans eat is directly or indirectly derived from honey bee pollination.  Some crops pollinated are cucumbers, almonds, carrot seed, melons, apricots, cherries, pears, apples, prunes, plums, seed alfalfa, cantaloupe, seed onions, avocados, kiwi, blueberries, cranberries, etc. 

It is the only insect that produces food eaten by man.

Honey is the only food that includes all the substances necessary to sustain life, including enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and water; and it's the only food that contains "pinocembrin", an antioxidant associated with improved brain functioning.

The average worker bee produces about 1/12th teaspoon of honey in their lifetime.

A hive of bees will fly 90,000 miles, the equivalent of three orbits around the earth to collect 1 kg of honey.

It takes one ounce of honey to fuel a bee's flight around the world.

A honey bee visits 50 to 100 flowers during a collection trip.

The bee's brain is oval in shape and only about the size of a sesame seed, yet it has remarkable capacity to learn and remember things and is able to make complex calculations on distance travelled and foraging efficiency.

The honey bee's wings stroke incredibly fast, about 200 beats per second, thus making their famous, distinctive buzz. A honey bee can fly for up to six miles, and as fast as 15 miles per hour.

A colony of bees consists of 20,000 to 60,000 honeybees and one queen. Worker honey bees are female, live for about 6 weeks and do all the work.

Larger than the worker bees, the male honey bees (also called drones), have no stinger and do no work at all. All they do is mating. In fact, before winter or when food becomes scarce, female honeybees usually force surviving males out of the nest.

The honey bee has been around for millions of years.

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy gift for a 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

Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

If you are looking for an alternative to blazingly hot chicken wings for this coming weekend here is a recipe to consider. 

Our family favors chicken wings that are mildly seasoned with honey, ginger and soy sauce. Tasty and tender, they are sure to be a hit at your next get-together or tailgate outing. This is a party sized bath.

Ingredients

5 pounds chicken wings, trimmed and separated
2/3 cup soy sauce
5 to 10 tablespoons Sunburst Oranges honey, to taste
1 1/2 cups water
8 large garlic cloves (crushed or finely chopped)
4 teaspoons fresh or dried ginger

Directions

Oven roasted wings can be just as lip-smackingly crispy and you don’t have to deal with dropping your chicken wings into bubbling hot oil.

Mix soy sauce, honey, water, garlic and ginger together in a small bowl, set aside

Put wings in a rectangular baking pan and cook in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until nicely browned and getting crisp. 

Pour sauce over hot wings. 

Cook until wings are well coated with the sauce. The sauce will become very thick and stick to the wings.

Serve with a green salad and fresh crusty bread.

Feeds 10 to 12 average eaters

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome and healthy gift for a 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

The Benefits of Using Honey

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. 

A perfect compliment to our favorite tea or lemonade – it's light and fragrant characteristics are sure to please the palate.

There is nothing in the world quite like honey. For thousands of years, honey has been used all over the world and in just about every culture. Ancient Egyptians used it as a form of currency, like gold, and they mixed it into the wines that they offered to their gods. Germans have used it to sweeten alcoholic beverages like mead, cider and beer. In the US, American Indians put it to work as a fruit preservative and base for herbal medicine. 

Most people have used honey to sweeten foods and beverages, but few realize that it’s a powerful food, beauty aide and a topical antibiotic. Honey naturally contains 18 amino acids, plus small amounts of a many vitamins and minerals. The old wives’ tales we hear are actually often based in truth, as honey has been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. Not only can honey soothe and lubricate a sore throat, but because of its nutrient-rich profile, it has been used internally and externally for a variety of other benefits, including... 

Better Athletic Performance
Many athletes rely on carbohydrates for an energy boost during intense training. Studies have shown that the glucose found in honey, plus other natural sugars, can provide the same boost to athletes. Instead of consuming refined sugars and high fructose corn syrup, which is on my list as one of the worst things we can consume and is found in many sports drinks, opt for an all-natural boost of honey. 

Improved Sleep And Relaxation
Honey can promote relaxation and help ease you to sleep at night. The natural sugar found in honey raises our insulin slightly and allows tryptophan, the compound famous for making us sleepy after eating turkey at Thanksgiving, to enter our brains more easily. Taking a spoonful of honey before bed can help you get restful sleep.

Fewer Allergies
Taking a high-quality raw local honey for two months before allergy season can actually lessen your allergies. Bees carry the pollen that aggravates seasonal allergies, and some of that pollen becomes part of the honey. Consuming honey daily before allergy season can help your body grow accustomed to the pollen and immunize your body against it. 

Healed Cuts And Scrapes
Honey has antibacterial properties that prevent infection in minor abrasions. Plus, its thickness will protect against bacteria and dirt entering a wound. Simply dab a little honey onto your cut and cover with a bandage.

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome and tasty gift for a 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

Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice Really Is Better

You have been walking in your local store and have seen the bottles of orange juice marked – Not From Concentrate, right? Did you know that it may have been up to one year ago that the oranges were actually squeezed?  The liquid has been stored in huge tanks.  Did you know that just before being shipped the supplier added what is called a “flavor pack” to restore a taste profile that the brand uses to “hook” you on their juice?

For the last 30 years, the citrus industry has used flavor packs to process what the Food and Drug Administration identifies as "pasteurized" orange juice. That includes top brands such as Tropicana, Minute Maid, Simply Orange and Florida Natural, among others. (Source ABC News)

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/orange-juice-moms-secret-ingredient-worries/story?id=15154617

At Sunburst Oranges we know how to make sure your family is drinking fresh orange juice. We offer our “Orange Juice Connoisseurs” program.

http://www.sunburstoranges.com/#!oranges-for-juicing/cphv

When you make your own orange juice you know what you are feeding your family. Here is our simple program to get you started.

• Pick Box Size
3 sizes to choose from:

• USPS Medium box of juice oranges – $23.35 delivered
(enough to make approximately 10 glasses of juice)

• USPS Large box of juice oranges – $34.50 delivered
(enough to make approximately 18 glasses of juice)

• FedEx Large box of juice oranges – $49.00 delivered
(enough to make approximately 30 glasses of juice)

• Pick Shipping Frequency
• One time • Every 2 weeks • Once per month
• Pick Shipping Period

Every 2 weeks - 15% discount
Once per month - 10% discount

Varieties of oranges will vary during different months of the year. Each box contains a variety description, origin, hints to achieving the best flavor profile for that particular variety as well as a standard guide to sanitation and storage to best protect and preserve your work.

Get the freshest Sunburst Oranges juice possible –

More Orange Juice Information: http://www.sunburstoranges.com/#!oj-health-nutrition/c22si

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

Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice Is Better

We know that you are busy and buying a bottle of orange juice is easier than squeezing your own. But which is better for you and your family?

Fresh, raw Orange Juice also is rich in bioflavanoids, which are plant pigments that enhance the bioavailability of nutrients such as vitamin C. Even when added to synthetic vitamin C, bioflavanoids significantly increase how much C is absorbed into your system. Combine them with the rich and untampered-with C complex in fresh oranges, and you’ve got one of the best sources of one of the best antioxidants you could possibly consume.

Fresh Orange Juice contains lots of vitamin C and bioflavanoids, making it a powerful antioxidant source

Speaking of antioxidants, ever wonder why vitamin C is supposed to be so supportive to your immune system? It’s because it actually increases your white blood cell count, as long as it’s coming from a whole food source, with the entire C complex intact. Vitamin C is one of the most major and important antioxidants your body needs for optimal health. And as we all know, orange juice is a great source for vitamin C, especially when it’s raw.

Fresh Orange Juice contains useful enzymes and other nutrients that are destroyed in the pasteurization process.

Orange juice contains beneficial antioxidant polyphenols as well as key digestive enzymes, all of which are completely destroyed when the juice is pasteurized. Scorching the juice in the name of food “safety” also cuts way down on vitamins, especially vitamin C. These are all nutrients which are very sensitive to heat and oxidation, and will break down when exposed to the high temperatures of the pasteurization process in commercial juice production. So sometimes, manufacturers will add back in vitamin C to compensate for the loss.

But fresh Orange Juice is loaded with all those great naturally-occurring antioxidants and enzymes! Plus, while pasteurization is intended to protect against health concerns associated with juice production, raw orange juice naturally possesses antimicrobial properties from the vitamin C, citric acid, and other compounds within it. When you keep all of those intact, instead of oxidizing the crap out of it, orange juice protects itself as well as supporting your health!

If you are worried about all that sugar you’d be drinking, let’s look into that. Well, the magnesium that comes in your Orange Juice is actually essential for blood sugar regulation, too, and keeps blood glucose levels normalized. As well as potassium, another key nutrient found plentifully in orange juice. Potassium is involved in regulating both blood sugar and insulin levels. Potassium works by getting sugar into the cell, which regulates cellular metabolism and makes use of that sugar by using it as fuel.

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed orange juice gift for a 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

Automotive Oranges Are Special

While we are talking about the benefits and fun of fresh squeezed orange juice this week we thought that for our Wednesday blog we would show some of the many “Automotive Oranges” we have seen. Only one is actually “orange” shaped.

This one is in the Beaulieu Motors Museum. The museum ios in  Brockenhurst, Hampshire England and has over 250 vehicles in the collection. It is the funny car and advertisement for the orange juice. It is the ideal car to drive with friends because the sits are in round. Six of these customized minis were commissioned by Outspan from a company called Brian Waite Enterprise Ltd. based at Bodium in East Sussex. They were built between 1972 and 1974, and were used on advertising campaigns both in this country and in Europe. One of the six is known to live in South Africa these days.

Perhaps the most unusual historic commercial vehicle to be seen on the run is the Outspan Orange car. The Outspan car is shaped like an orange, has orange skin-textured bodywork, looks like an orange - but is, in fact on an Austin Mini! Admittedly, highly modified.

The car has a top speed of 30 mph. At more than 30 it is unstable, and can roll over. Given its shape, I expect it would roll quite far as well!

The car company AMC made several models in orange colors. The Gremlin, Pacer. Javelins and AMX' to name a few. Yes, many car companies have offered cars painted in different shades of orange.

The color orange still way behind black and white, but orange is a fast-growing car color, and automakers are getting on board. If you don't want to get lost in the crowd, or a snow drift, you might want to get behind the wheel of one of these.

Does your car "color" your personality? Car color can act as a psychological shortcut that expresses how we want the world to think about us. Gender and age influence choices, along with what colors are available on the lot.

There's a reason why places like Home Depot display orange logos. Bright orange declares that you're quite comfortable with value and saving money.

If you're driving an orange Mini, you're saying, "I do a good job of minding my money," Augustin says. You might skip doing things for yourself (no spa treatments or expensive hair appointments) just so you can focus on value-rich investments.

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed orange juice gift for a 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

Orange Juice Buttermilk Pancake Recipe

Wonderful orange flavor highlights these great tasting buttermilk pancakes. Since deciding that these would be my last meal, I’ve determined that I might also be addicted to pancakes. These contain a hearty dose of fresh Orange Juice instead of water and they make for the most flavorful pancake of your life. Especially if you use fresh squeezed orange juice.

Ingredients

3/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
2 tablespoons finely grated orange zest
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup granulated sugar
5 tablespoons melted butter
Vegetable oil, for pan

Directions

May we suggest: Early in the week order the juice oranges from Sunburst Oranges website. Juice 3 oranges and zest the skin of one orange, Combine all ingredients; beat until smooth. 

Coat a skillet or griddle lightly with oil and place over medium heat. Using about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake, pour onto the hot skillet. 

When bubbles appear over the top of the pancakes and edges are beginning to look a little dry, turn and brown the other side lightly. Adjust heat as necessary to brown evenly.

Serves 4 to 6.

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed chocolate gift for a 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

Fresh Orange Juice and Your Overall Health

A recent study published online in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking orange juice every day may have important heart health benefits. The study indicates that consuming about two cups of 100 percent orange juice every day for one month significantly lowered diastolic blood pressure among men who were slightly overweight, but otherwise healthy. Improvements also were seen in other indicators of cardiovascular health, notably better functioning of the inner lining of blood vessels.

Some of the study highlights are as follows; In this randomized, controlled, cross-over study, 24 otherwise healthy, but, overweight men, aged 50 to 65 years, consumed three different four-week dietary treatments, with a three-week ‘wash-out’ period between each treatment:

500 milliliters a day of 100 percent orange juice, which is equivalent to 17 ounces or about 2 cups of orange juice;

500 milliliters a day of a control drink plus a capsule of 292 milligrams of hesperidin, which was equivalent to the amount naturally found in the 500 milliliters of orange juice provided and;

500 milliliters a day of a control drink plus a placebo.

Significant benefits seen from both the consumption of 100 percent orange juice and the purified hesperidin include:

Improvements in blood pressure: Diastolic blood pressure (DBP), the bottom number in a blood pressure reading, significantly decreased by an average of 5.5 mmHg when the 100 percent orange juice group was compared to the placebo control group and by an average of 3.2 mmHg when the hesperidin group was compared to the placebo control group. DBP is the pressure on artery walls when the heart relaxes between beats. DBP values are an important cardiovascular health indicator: the higher the diastolic blood pressure, the greater the risk for heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.

Improvements in blood vessel function: The inner lining of blood vessels demonstrated a significantly better ability to widen (called “vasodilation”) immediately following both the orange juice and hesperidin treatments, with orange juice having a more significant effect. When blood vessels widen, there is less resistance to blood flow which leads to a decrease in blood pressure. This reduces the heart’s workload, and serves as an important indicator of overall cardiovascular health.

Heart Health Benefits of 100 Percent Orange Juice
This study supports a larger body of epidemiologic evidence that has shown citrus fruit consumption is associated with a number of cardiovascular benefits including a lower risk of acute coronary events and stroke.

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed chocolate gift for a 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

Chocolate and Your Brain Health

A recent study shows that Chocolate may be better than exercise for your brain health. Chocolate is one of our favorite foods; not only because it is tasty, but also because it's really good for your health.

The most recent evidence of this comes from a recent study published in the journal Neurology.  Researchers found that chocolate may help older people keep their brains healthy and their thinking sharp. Study participants who drank two cups of cocoa daily for 30 days showed an 8.3 percent increase in blood flow to the brain, and they improved their scores on memory and thinking tests. Score!

This new finding is promising, but it's not the only health benefit that seems to come as a result of eating chocolate. Scientists from Columbia University and New York University gave volunteers between the ages of 50 and 69 a specially formulated drink containing flavanols extracted from cocoa powder. Half the participants were given a small dose of flavanols, and half a large dose, for a total of three months.

Those who received a high dose were reported to have higher memory function scores than those who had a low dose.

Past studies have demonstrated the benefits of cocoa flavanols for people suffering from mild cognitive impairment, the current study focused on healthy people experiencing  the usual mental wear and tear that comes with older age. The researchers, some employed by chocolate-maker Mars Inc., began their study by enlisting the help of men and women between the ages of 61 and 85. Participants were given a drink containing either a high, medium, or low amounts of cocoa flavanols every day for eight weeks. However, these were not simple cups of hot cocoa, but drinks made with a specially prepared flavanol-rich powder.

So what did the researchers discover? The volunteers who drank either the high- or medium-flavanol drinks showed significant improvements in their overall cognitive function after only eight weeks. Plus, the group showed reduced blood pressure and improved insulin resistance. The researchers believe these positive results may be due, in part, to improved vascular function.

While researchers don't fully understand how cocoa flavanols benefit the brain, they think it could have something to do with the way the substance improves insulin resistance, which has been linked to brain aging. Flavanols have also been found to support normal blood vessel functioning. In theory, this should promote circulation throughout the body and to the brain, and in turn, boost cognitive functioning, says study co-author Catherine Kwik-Uribe, Ph.D., human health and nutrition director at Mars.

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed chocolate gift for a 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

3D Printed Chocolate Treats

As you may have heard or read that the new technology of 3D printing is a game changer in many industries. Faster, better, and /or cheaper are terms you hear all the time when it comes to using 3D printing. 

You also hear more creative abilities and this applies to chocolate candy for the first time. Several companies are now releasing or just about to release 3D Printed Chocolate.

We will look at just one of them now.

In Hershey Pennsylvania the Hershey Company, in partnership with 3D Systems, announced of its 3D Chocolate Candy Printing exhibit at their Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction.

Yes, a 3D printer for chocolate.

In January, the companies announced they were working on the project. 3D Systems said making printers that print chocolate is a good way to help the relatively new technology go mainstream. Hershey sees it as a great delivery system for its products.

“We are now using 3-D technology to bring Hershey goodness to consumers in unanticipated and exciting ways,” said Will Papa, Chief Research and Development Officer, The Hershey Company. “3-D printing gives consumers nearly endless possibilities for personalizing their chocolate, and our exhibit will be their first chance to see 3-D chocolate candy printing in action.”

Visitors of the exhibit can interact with a library of 3-D graphics pre-loaded on iPads and see what they would look like as a piece of 3-D chocolate.

If you don’t know about Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction what follows is some information on their website. http://www.hersheys.com/chocolateworld/locations/hershey

Get ready for a fun-filled day of HERSHEY'S Happiness! Explore our assortment of sweet chocolate attractions and treat your senses to the many wonders of chocolate. You'll create warm memories to last a lifetime at HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE WORLD Attraction!

Come and explore the many wonders of chocolate at the first HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE WORLD Attraction located in CHOCOLATETOWN, USA - Hershey, Pennsylvania! Treat yourself to an assortment of one-of-kind experiences and discover the sweetest feeling of pure happiness. Plan your chocolate adventure today!

From A Lenovo Developed 3D Chocolate Printer

While this week we are taking about many things chocolate we need to mention we don’t offer 3D chocolate printing. A quick internet search will bring you more information on this fast changing topic.

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed chocolate gift for a 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

Decadent Chocolate Cake Recipe

Imagine the richest, darkest, most decadent chocolate cake you have ever eaten. That is what we are told that best describes today's recipe. In any case we hope you find this chocolate cake for your next special diner.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
3 cups packed brown sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup baking cocoa
3 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Real Salt
1-1/3 cups sour cream
1-1/3 cups boiling water
     



Frosting:

1/2 cup Kerry Gold butter, cubed
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
5 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour three 9-inch round baking pans.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition. Stir in water until well blended.

Transfer to prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool and rest in pans 10 minutes before moving to wire racks to cool completely.

For frosting, in a metal bowl over simmering water, melt butter and chocolates; stir until smooth. Cool slightly.

In a large glass bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, sour cream and vanilla. Add the chocolate mixture; beat until smooth. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Refrigerate leftovers. 

Feeling creative? Pipe decorations around your cake.

Yield: 8 Generous Servings.

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed chocolate gift for a 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

Should You Eat Dark Chocolate?

Did you know that superfoods don't just come from your supermarket's produce aisle. In fact those chocolate candy bars next to the gummy bears now qualify. Study after study proves that dark chocolate, sweet, rich, and delicious, is good for more than curing a broken heart.

The secret behind its powerful punch is cacao, also the source of the sweet's distinct taste. Packed with healthy chemicals like flavonoids and theobromine, this little bean is a disease-killing solution. 

The latest research backs up claims that chocolate has cardiovascular benefits: In a 9-year Swedish study of more than 31,000 women, those who ate one or two servings of dark chocolate each week cut their risk for heart failure by as much as 33 percent.

Wish that was a serving each day? Another big, long-term study in Germany this year found that about a square of dark chocolate a day lowered blood pressure and reduced risk of heart attack and stroke by 39 percent. Most of the credit goes to flavonoids, antioxidant compounds that increase the flexibility of veins and arteries.

But since those antioxidants come with a generous portion of sugar, milk, and butter, chowing down on chocolate isn't an excuse to skip your workout. Chocolate and exercise actually work surprisingly well together: Another recent study, out of Australia this time, showed that eating chocolate high in healthy antioxidants reduced the blood pressure-raising effects of exercise on overweight individuals. So go ahead and reward yourself. A chocolate bar has five times the flavonoids of an apple, after all.

Staying Slim and Trim

If you're wondering how you can add dark chocolate to your diet plan without putting on pounds, the good news is that it should be easier than you expect.

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen found that dark chocolate is far more filling, offering more of a feeling of satiety than its lighter-colored sibling. That is, dark chocolate lessens cravings for sweet, salty, and fatty foods. So if indulging in a bit of healthy dark chocolate should not only make it easy for you to stick to the small portion recommended for optimal health, but it should make it easier for you to stick to your diet in general. Jackpot!

Happiness In Your Mouth

UC San Diego researchers recently confirmed what your experience could have told them back in college: When times get tough, people tend to dip into the chocolate stash more often than they might otherwise.

And as it turns out, that kind of emotional eating might not be such a bad thing. You know what kind of havoc stress and its sneaky sidekick cortisol can wreak on your body. Swiss scientists found that when very anxious people ate an ounce and a half of dark chocolate every day for two weeks, their stress hormone levels were significantly reduced and the metabolic effects of stress were partially mitigated. After a breakup, break out a dark chocolate bar rather than a pint of ice cream.

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed chocolate gift for a 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

Where Do You Get Your FRESH Oranges?

Juice Oranges might not be perfect or beautiful on the outside, but it's really what's on the inside that counts. Cartons can be purchased by a 20lb box or a 40lb box.

Why make your own fresh squeezed orange juice?

What happens with Industrially-produced orange juice, is after the oranges are squeezed, the juice is stored in giant holding tanks and the oxygen is removed from them.  This allows the liquid to keep for up to a year without spoiling. This makes the juice completely flavorless. Then the industry uses “flavor packs” to re-flavor the juice.

Fresh squeezed orange juice can be a good source of vitamins and other nutrients. Squeezing your own at home would be about the only way to get the real flavor and these nutrients.

40lb Carton Sunburst Juice Oranges perfect for home juicing.

Carton contains approx. 80-113 oranges  $20.00

20lb Carton Sunburst Juice Oranges perfect for home juicing.

Carton contains approx. 40-56 oranges  $10.00

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 have 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 Know The Health Benefits of Citrus Pulp?

As you know we think juice is part of a healthy diet. But don’t forget the pulp part of your juice. "Citrus" refers to a large genus of flowering plants that are cultivated globally for their fruit. Oranges, lemons, grapefruits, limes and tangerines have all been featured in diets and medicinal practices of various cultures since far back in history. Citrus fruits are often juiced, either mechanically or by hand; the result is a fibrous and nutritious byproduct called pulp that has numerous health benefits.

Fiber

More than half of the fiber in oranges is soluble fiber. When soluble fiber reaches your intestinal tract, it absorbs water and forms a gel substance. This thick gel slows digestion, and as it passes, it provides specific benefits. Soluble fiber decreases the rate at which sugar absorbs. As a result, you'll experience more stable blood sugar levels, which is especially beneficial if you are a diabetic. Soluble fiber also binds with some of the excess low-density lipoprotein in your body. It helps this harmful cholesterol pass out of the body through stools, lowering your total cholesterol levels.

Insoluble fiber is the tough fibrous parts of the orange and seeds that are hard to chew. This type of fiber stays intact for the most part as it travels through your digestive tract. Insoluble fiber speeds up digestion by pushing out waste, like a broom. The benefit to you is having more regular bowel movements and fewer episodes of constipation. Regularity is important for reducing your risk of diverticular disease, a condition that causes food to get stuck in pouches that line your intestinal tract. As food gets trapped, inflammation occurs, leading to severe pain and discomfort.

You need 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories you consume, resulting in 28 grams for an average 2,000-calorie diet. The typical American only gets a total of 10 to 15 grams per day, far below the recommendation.

Vitamins

Citrus pulp is rich in vitamin C, which is a potent antioxidant that may help support numerous bodily systems. A study published in the journal "Epidemiology" found that vitamin C had an inverse effect on mortality for cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Citrus pulp also contains beta-carotene, which is converted by the body into vitamin A, as well as small amounts of vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6 and E.

Minerals

Citrus pulp contains higher levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium, which may improve brain function, heart health and bone strength. Potassium also helps contributes to kidney function. Citrus fruit additionally provides small amounts of copper, iron, manganese and zinc. Lemons uniquely offer sodium, chlorine and Sulphur. 

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed gift for a 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 When An Orange Isn’t - Orange

Did you know about Oranges that aren’t?  We all have an idea of how an orange should look.  We go to the produce section of the grocery store and we have a pretty good chance of getting an orange.  Other than carrots they are the only thing for sale there that are… well, orange.

Did you know about the following?

The natural color of an orange depends on where it is grown. In countries where the temperature is consistently warm, chlorophyll is preserved and the skin of the orange remains green, while the inside is orange.

Most green oranges are perfectly ripe. In sub-tropical countries that have both warm and cold seasons, the fruit turns orange and the chlorophyll dies off when the temperature cools down.

If you’re like most people, you associate a green fruit with being unripe. However, when it comes to oranges, you cannot tell the ripeness of an orange by its color, regardless of where it’s from.

In South American countries and tropical countries near the equator, oranges stay green all year around. In the United States, oranges grown in early spring or ones that are grown in late fall turn orange naturally. Oranges that only see the height of summer will usually remain green.

Osage Oranges

There’s not much that’s orangey about the Osage Orange, save for a slightly similar fragrance when the fruit is ripe – and let the aroma be a warning for you. Ripe Osage Orange fruit are sensitive to the touch, exuding a milky, sticky liquid that is as unappealing as their creepy, brain-like appearance. The Osage Orange is also known as the Hedgeapple or “Horse Apple” though even horses avoid it unless there’s nothing else edible in the vicinity. Even then, eating one is a dicey proposition as the starchy inner pulp is slightly toxic to mammals.

This weird-looking, grapefruit sized fruit would seem to be of no use to anyone… anyone living, that is. Some researchers have speculated that Osage Oranges evolved to appeal to certain now-extinct creatures such as mastodons and giant ground sloths. The hole in this theory is that these prehistoric megafauna died out around 13,000 years ago but the ugly Osage Orange is still with us today. You can find them growing wild in some parts of Arkansas and Texas.

Meyer Lemons

Native to China, this deep yellow citrus fruit was first brought to the United States in 1908 by Frank Nicholas Meyer of the Department of Agriculture. We’re not sure if Meyer (who died on an exploratory mission near Shanghai in 1918) pulled any strings to get the fruit named after him, but neither he nor his masters at the DOA are talking – too puckered up, perhaps. With that said, the Meyer Lemon is said to be sweeter, less acidic and more fragrant than its more common Eureka or Lisbon lemon cousins. Meyer Lemons are thought to be hybrids between true lemons and mandarin oranges.

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed gift for a 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 A Great Orange Chocolate Sauce Recipe

Chocolate and fresh orange flavor are a sublime pairing. Do you look at a bowl of ice cream or say a beautiful piece of cake and think they are just crying out to be covered in a delicious chocolate orange sauce? Is that bowl of fresh fruit begging to be covered with that same sauce?

Does fondue mean a chocolate orange dip is the one go-to sauce that you make first and lots of it?

This is a good lower-fat chocolate orange sauce perfect for ice cream, cake or fruit fondue.

Ingredients

1 cup packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ cup 1% milk
4 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoon orange liqueur
½ cup orange zest from a fresh Sunburst Orange (chopped into fine pieces)

Preparation

Whisk sugar and cocoa in a small heavy saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk until a smooth paste forms. Add the orange zest. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly. Reduce heat to low and simmer, whisking constantly, for 4 minutes. Remove from heat and add chocolate; stir until melted. Stir in orange-poaching syrup (or orange liqueur). 

Let cool.

Notes: Make Ahead Tip: Will keep, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, but it will need to be reheated before using.

Makes: 2 cups

If you are looking for the perfect wholesome vitamin packed gift for a 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