Produce recently spotted at The Market
Produce Briefs...
Mangosteen
The Purple mangosteen, botanical name Garcinia magostana, simply referred to as mangosteen, is an ultra-tropical slow growing evergreen tree that is cultivated for its edible fruit.
Butternut Squash
Producing a rich, golden-yellow flesh with excellent texture, Butternut squash is one of the most popular varieties of hard winter squash. Butternuts are a smooth, long-necked bowling pin- or bell-shaped squash, encased with a pinkish-tan, hard rind.
Description/Taste
Spruce trees are between 20 and 60 meters tall and have deep green colored needles that cover the branches. The Spruce tips should be foraged in early spring as soon as the bright lime-green buds emerge from their brown papery casings. This is when they are most tender and their slight resinous flavor is minimal. Spruce tips have lemony citrus notes and an herbal quality similar to rosemary.
Seasons/Availability
In the wild, Spruce tips are available in early spring.
Current Facts
Spruce is a coniferous evergreen tree in the Pinaceae family. There are dozens of Spruce species in the Picea genus, all of which are edible and may be prepared in a similar manner. Each spring the trees grow new buds at the tips of their branches that eventually harden, developing into mature needles. It should be noted that not all evergreen trees are edible, and it is therefore vital that identification of Spruce is accurate.
Nutritional Value
Spruce tips provide high levels of Vitamin A and C, as well as oil that has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
Applications
The new Spruce tips are soft and chewy and may be eaten raw, but are best cooked or pickled. As the tips mature they become bitter and too hard to consume. The Spruce tips' lemony quality compliment seafood nicely in a sauce or stuffing. They are also used to add a fresh citrus note to beer. In sweet applications, Spruce tips add balance to cookies, sorbets and syrups. When steeped, Spruce tip tea is excellent for soothing sore throats and other respiratory ailments. A salve may also be made for topical uses on rashes, bug bites and joint aches.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The Koyukon People of Alaska used the White Spruce from root to tip for medicine, shelter, firewood, waterproofing, and ceremonial purposes. In their native language every part of the tree has a unique name thus illustrating its multifaceted importance.
Geography/History
Fossil records from the Paleocene Era trace the origin of spruce to Montana. Spruce trees grow in the boreal forests of temperate climates in the Northern hemisphere. Today they may be found growing across Scandinavia, Russia, China, Japan and North America.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Wrench and Rodent | Oceanside CA | 760-840-1976 |
| Tasting Room Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 562-756-1170 |
| Marriott Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-3000 x6335 |
| Cesar RSF | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-771-1313 |
| Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 619-955-8495 |
| Dolce Pane & Vino | Del Mar CA | 858-832-1518 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Spruce Tips. One
is easiest, three is harder.
