Show 520, April 8, 2023: Melissa’s World Variety Produce’s “Prince of Produce,” with the freshest of the Spring Season Part Two

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

It’s Spring and time to revisit our resident produce authority, Robert Schueller, of Melissa’s World Variety Produce. When it comes to knowing 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 produce items that are sure to be trendy this year. He’ll also discuss trends in fruits and veggies for 2023.

Yellow Dragon Fruit (now more readily available) is topping the charts for 2023. “Yellow Dragon Fruit, the sweetest of all three of the dragon fruit varieties (and Robert’s favorite,) 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.”

Robert continues with us with a signature Pink Pineapple in hand.

Show 405, December 26, 2020: Robert Schueller, Melissa’s “Prince of Produce,” with the Produce Trends Forecast for 2021

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioOur distinguished, resident produce authority, Robert Schueller, (also known as the Prince of Produce) is the long-time Director of Public Relations for Melissa’s (World Variety) Produce. This will be the 14th year he’s provided the list of “Top Ten Specialty Produce Items” as determined by real sales figures. Robert joins us to share the always anticipated list.

It’s no surprise that the ultimate comfort food, Melissa’s Dutch Yellow Potatoes, ranks in 1st place. Grown in Idaho, of course. This is actually the 10th year for this distinction.

Next Saturday Robert returns to present more of his informative and revealing “Produce Trends Forecast for 2021.”

Show 392, September 26, 2020: Produce Expert Robert Schueller of Melissa’s on Halloween Entertaining

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioOur friends at Melissa’s World Variety Produce are again hauntingly clever in putting together a complete package of inspired party ideas and fun, healthy recipes to make your socially distanced Halloween celebration the ultimate ghostly gathering.

It all starts with Melissa’s exclusive selection of Freaky Fruits. These delicious items (exotic and tropical fruits) include Kiwano Melon, Dragon Fruit, Jackfruit, Blood Oranges, Passion Fruit, Strawberry Papaya, Pomegranates, Rambutans, Cherimoya, and Finger Limes.

The Melissa’s chefs have created a fiendishly clever collection of hauntingly delicious recipes for your Halloween entertaining. Don’t miss the Freaky Fruit Salad and the Dragon Egg Stew punch with cactus pears, apple cider, and rambutans.

Adults are part of the Halloween festivities, too, with the Zombie-rita. It’s a kiwano melon cocktail with tequila, Gran Marnier and a squeeze of lime.

All the easy-to-follow recipes and tips are @ melissas.com.

Our resident produce authority Robert Schueller (also known as the Prince of Produce) provides the fun & squishy facts on Freaky Fruits for inspired Halloween entertaining.

Show 347, November 2, 2019: Robert Schueller of Melissa’s – Produce Trends from Produce Marketing Association Presentation Part One

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioOur resident produce authority, Robert Schueller (The Prince of Produce) of Melissa’s, joins us with a special report. Robert was a featured speaker at the recent Produce Marketing Association – Fresh Summit Expo annual gathering at the Anaheim Convention Center. It’s the largest produce show held in the United States. His topic was Produce Trends. Robert provides us with the intriguing highlights including the Organic EZ Open Sweet Young Coconut.

Show 331, July 6, 2019: Melissa’s “Prince of Produce” – Robert Schueller previewing his presentations at the OC Fair

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioThe 2019 OC Fair opens the gates on Friday, July 12th. The Culinary Arts programming in the OC Promenade building is always a major attraction during the Fair. Our own Prince of Produce, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s, has two interactive presentations on the Culinary Stage there for Opening Day.

Robert will first be on the Culinary Stage in the OC Promenade at 1:00 p.m. with “Acres of Fruit.” Think Dragon Fruits for starters and more…At 3:00 p.m. Robert returns with “Acres of Vegetables.” Think Dutch Yellow Potatoes and Pee Wee Dutch Yellow Potatoes, too, grown in Idaho. Also, the increasing popularity of the incredibly versatile, Jackfruit.

Robert joins us with a juicy preview.

Show 327, June 8, 2019: Robert Schueller, Melissa’s World Variety Produce’s Prince of Produce – Best in Summer Produce

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioSummer is upon us and it’s time to get the 411 on what vegetables work best for the grill as well as the pick of the crop for the very best in Summer fruits.

Consider Ruby Gold Potatoes on the grill. Melissa’s baby Ruby Gold® Potatoes are small round potatoes with red skins and yellow flesh. These baby potatoes can be cooked in almost any way imaginable. They have a light, subtle flavor and a creamy texture. To preserve the nutrients in these wonderfully healthy treats, leave the skins on and simply scrub gently in water before using.

The expert with all the farm fresh answers is Robert Schueller, Melissa’s World Variety Produce’s Prince of Produce.

Show 303, December 22, 2018: Robert Schueller, Melissa’s World Variety Produce, Produce Trends

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioWhat are the “Top 10” Specialty Produce items in 2018? What’s sprouting on the horizon for 2019? We now continue Robert Schueller’s (Melissa’s World Variety Produce) informative report from two weeks ago.

More will be revealed by our enthusiastic resident produce authority, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s. We respectfully refer to him as The Prince of Produce. You can call him the Produce Guru for short.

We’ve covered Jackfruit and Red Papaya. Number Eight on the Specialty Produce Hit Parade is Chayote Squash which is where we’ll pick the conversation up. It’s actually a fruit and a staple of the Creole kitchen.

What’s Number One ? You need to listen but we’ll hint that it’s a specialty item exclusively grown in Idaho…

Show 301, December 8, 2018: Robert Schueller, Melissa’s World Variety Produce’s “Prince of Produce”

Melissa's Robert Schueller at the SoCal Restaurant Show 5th Anniversary

What are the “Top 10” Specialty Produce items in 2018? What’s sprouting on the horizon for 2019? We’ll tease that Jackfruit was the tenth most popular specialty produce item for 2018 based on sales.

Robert also shares some fun facts about apples. Did you know Red Delicious and Golden Delicious Apples are only harvested once a year and then kept fresh year-round until needed for sale? Robert explains the secret about how this is all accomplished.

All will be revealed by our enthusiastic resident produce authority, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s.We respectfully refer to him as The Prince of Produce.

This is the first of a two-part, highly informative produce trends segment. Robert is back on December22nd.

Show 283, July 28, 2018: Melissa’s Robert Schueller, Variety Summer Grapes

Melissa's Robert Schueller at the SoCal Restaurant Show 5th AnniversaryIt’s a great time to chat about cool and refreshing Summer fruits with our resident produce authority, The Prince of Produce, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s World Variety Produce. Variety Summer California Grapes are trending.

A late-season variety grape with an extremely high sugar content, the Candy Sweets® name describes its great flavor! Though petite in size, this amber-green seedless grape has a big taste that makes it an excellent kids snack or lunchbox favorite. Serve a bunch or two on a party platter; this grape’s firm, crunchy texture and sweetness plays well against any extra sharp cheese. Choose grapes that are firm, with no bruises, decay or shatter (loose grapes that have fallen off the stem). Vine stems should to be green and pliable, never dried out.

Robert provides us with a great tip on enjoying these seasonal grapes for a longer period than the short time they are available fresh. Surprisingly they freeze well. Freeze them as whole clusters for best results.

Also the incredible Hatch Chile season will launch the first week in August. These flavorful peppers are exclusively grown in the Mesilla Valley of New Mexico and are only available annually for a short season in August and part of September. They are considered by discriminating chile aficionados to be the best peppers in the world. We’ll get a fiery preview. More on Hatch Chiles and where to find a local store roasting on the upcoming August 11th show.

Show 254, December 30, 2017: Melissa’s Robert Schueller (a.k.a “The Prince of Produce”)

Melissa's Robert Schueller at the SoCal Restaurant Show 5th AnniversaryFruits and vegetables are delightfully moving to the center of the plate in more and more restaurants. Chef are intrigued with the possibilities. What produce items were hot in 2017? What’s now trending for 2018? Our resident Prince of Produce, the esteemed Robert Schueller of Melissa’s World Variety Produce, joins us with all the delicious and farm-fresh intel.

Kiwano Melon is one of the Top 10 specialty produce items for 2017 based on sales. Once grown only in New Zealand, Melissa’s Kiwano Melons are now grown in California as well. Consumers are drawn to these intriguing, yet versatile tropical fruits whose look easily captures attention. The spiky, orange colored shells of Kiwano Melons encase a soft, succulent bright green flesh. Melissa’s Kiwano Melons are mild in flavor and similar in taste to juicy, seed-filled cucumbers. Once peeled, Melissa’s Kiwano Melons can be tossed in fresh fruit salads or served as a garnish with roasted meats.

There is a new, exciting variety of Dragon Fruit coming into the marketplace from Ecuador. It’s pleasantly sweet and yellow-skinned.