Tag Archives: Muscato grapes

Show 534, July 15, 2023: Robert Schueller – The Prince of Produce. Melissa’s World Variety Produce’s “VP of Produce” Part One

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Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA Studio

It’s Summer and time to revisit our “always in the know” resident produce authority, Robert Schueller, of Melissa’s World Variety Produce. When it comes to knowledge of the season’s best there is no better resource than Robert (also known as “The Prince of Produce.”) Robert will brief us on the newest and freshest produce items that are available right now. Contemplate the three varieties of Dragon Fruit, PinkGlow Pineapples and Yellow, Orange and Sunshine Watermelon. Hatch Pepper season (the flavorful pepper that grows in a variety of hotnesses from mild to hot) is knocking at the door in later July. Robert Schueller is our guest with a bunch of juicy Muscato Grapes in hand.

“Yellow Dragon Fruit, the sweetest of all the dragon fruit varieties, has a bright yellow skin with smooth curved spines on the outside and a translucent white flesh on the inside with slightly larger but fewer edible seeds than the pink-skinned varieties.”

“When biting into the flesh of Yellow Dragon Fruit, you will get a rush of sweetness mixed with a floral juice. The fruit can be added to smoothies and smoothie bowls, made into sorbet or granita, or used for sauces, but there is no need to do anything other than just eat the fruit as-is. Peel off the inedible yellow skin and cut the dragon fruit into slices or spoon the fruit right out of the peel, as you might eat a melon.”

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Show 416, March 13, 2021: Ojai Pixie Tangerines with Robert Schueller of Melissa’s

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Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA Studio

“Melissa’s Ojai Pixies are petite, sweet, seedless, low-acid and easy to peel. The Ojai Pixie (available through May) is a very special tangerine. This fruit comes from the heart of Ojai Valley, located in Ventura County in Southern California, from a collective of just under 50 growers and their small family farms. This late-season citrus came to grocery retailers when communities were looking for fresh immune-boosting options during a global pandemic, and today it provides nourishment and much-needed relief to those in need.”

“Savor the tasty, delicate treat of tree-ripened fruit bursting with sunshine-sweet flavor and juice. This seedless variety is the result of open pollination of Kincy, King and Dancy mandarins. Popular backyard trees in Ojai, California, they bear small to medium-sized citrus, having pebbly textured, yellow-orange rinds with loose skins that peel easily. The segments separate neatly for a quick snack, making them a great choice for eating out of hand.”

Our resident produce authority, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s (also known as the Prince of Produce,) effortlessly peels the juicy secrets of the Ojai Pixies for us.

Robert will also share the deliciousness of other seasonal fruits right now including muscato grapes, cotton candy grapes, sapurano mangos and the new launched and distinctive PinkGlow Pineapples.

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Show 382, July 18, 2020: Robert Schueller, Produce Authority, Melissa’s World Variety Produce Part One

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Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioLots of fresh deliciousness going on in the wide world of specialty produce as it’s now Summer. Our own resident produce guru, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s, joins us to chat about the pick of the season’s best for fruits and vegetables. Think, for starters, variety grapes including Jelly Drops, Champagne Grapes and Muscato Grapes.

“Jelly Drops® Grapes are a hybrid of the popular Thompson seedless grape and the rich, meaty Concord grape variety. The result is a plump, juicy, dark purple seedless table grape with a thin skin. The aromatic, earthy flavor is similar to Concord but mellowed by the mild sweetness of the Thompson.”

“Grown both in California, Chile and Peru, Red Muscatos™ are a year-round grape to keep all your grape needs satisfied. Packed with sweet floral accents and covered in red, apple-crisp skin, Red Muscatos™ are the perfect grape for any occasion. Not only do these grapes taste great, but they are also seedless for convenience and are the ideal crunchy texture.”

“Red Muscatos™ are great for snacking, for kids and adults alike. Add them into a fresh fruit n’ cheese platter for perfect fruit pairings, or sprinkle over yogurt.”

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Show 162, March 5, 2016: Robert Schueller, Produce Authority, Melissa’s World Variety Produce Continues…

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Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioWhat’s new, and fresh, in the world of fruits and vegetables? Glad you asked. Joining us for an encore segment is our resident Produce authority, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s World Variety Produce.

Grapes from South America are now deliciously available in the non-Summer season. Highlights are the Melissa’s Muscato grapes (red and green Summer flavors.)

Green to amber-green Muscato seedless grapes arrive with a crisp, firm texture and a delicious tangy sweetness. Toss in fruit salads for texture, color, and a burst of juicy flavor. Succulently delicious— the ideal picnic or lunchbox treat.

Exclusively available from Melissa’s, Red Muscato grapes have a bright, rosy red color, firm texture with a very high sugar content. Slightly sweeter than its juicy sweet green-skinned cousin, Red Muscato grapes are a great addition to any fresh fruit ‘n cheese platter, sprinkled on yogurt or tossed in a green salad. This variety’s refreshing sweetness makes it a healthy out-of-hand snack food for kids and smart adults alike!

Cathy ThomasCathy Thomas is the award-winning, long-time Food Editor and food columnist for the Orange County Register. She also publishes a genuinely useful weekly newsletter on food, Cathy Thomas Cooks! On Friday afternoon, March 18th you’ll have a chance to meet her from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Chefs’ Toys warehouse store in Fountain Valley located right off the 405 Freeway. All are invited and this is a free event.

Cathy will be selling & signing all her must-have Melissa’s resource and reference books. Great gifts for that special foodie in your life. At 3 and 4:00 p.m. Cathy will be making presentations. Chef Bill Bracken of Bracken’s Kitchen will also be in the house cooking up nibbles of his tasty cuisine to savor.

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Show 132, July 25, 2015: Robert Schueller of Melissa’s World Variety Produce

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Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety ProduceThe esteemed Price of Produce, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s, is back to update us on the fresh and juiciest grapes of Summer. New this year are Jelly Drops Grapes. Returning are the coveted Cotton Candy grapes.

Melissa’s Muscato grapes vary in color from green to red to black and are hybrids of some very special seedless grape varieties. They make a perfect summer snack with their crisp texture and mouthwatering, juicy interior. Muscato Grapes are much sweeter than the average grape, measuring at a brix (sweetness) level of at least 22 compared to the average grape brix of about 16.

Toss Muscato Grapes into a summer fruit salad, add to your favorite sauce, or eat right out of hand. These delectable summer treats are a great addition to any dessert.

Jelly Drops™ Grapes are a hybrid of the popular Thompson Seedless grape and the rich, meaty Concord grape. The result is a plump, juicy, dark purple seedless table grape with a thin skin. Their aromatic, earthy flavor is similar to that of a Concord, but mellowed by the mild sweetness of the Thompson. This variety is a perfect out of hand summer snack fruit or delicious when used as a sweet sauce ingredient for almost any kind of meat or poultry dish.

Cotton Candy Grapes™ are an unusual new hybrid variety developed over eight years by breeding wild grape species in California. As its name implies this grape has a distinctive flavor that does, remarkably, taste very much like the spun sugar confection. This is not a genetically engineered product; but rather a tedious hand-pollination process was employed that resulted over many seasons

The fruit has an initial burst of Cotton Candy flavor that recedes into a mild, juicy sweetness. Actually, these green to light yellow seedless grapes are low in acid and pleasantly sweet without being overly sugary. A great new healthy snack food for kids or the child in all of us!

 

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