Coworker Q+A: Tom Lively Kicks Off California’s Citrus Season
California’s citrus season is upon us, and just in time as the weather is turning cold and grey. Each year, OGC looks forward to those first sunny orbs of goodness that arrive from our grower partners, which mark the beginning of a multi-month-long season that boasts more than 60 varieties, from standard favorites like organic Navel oranges to more exotic and playful Buddha’s Hands, and everything in between!
Tom Lively, OGC’s Intergalactic Sales Representative
To help orient ourselves ahead of this dizzying onslaught of delicious citrus, we sat down with Tom Lively, OGC’s Intergalactic Sales Representative, to get a lay of the land. In years past, Tom has been instrumental in leading our semi-annual citrus tours on some of our favorite ranches in California to taste, smell and talk citrus with our knowledgeable growers. While tours have been put on pause, for the time being, we’re still looking forward to experiencing the incredible varieties our partners are growing.
Tom sets the stage in this Coworker Q+A by sharing his knowledge of the California citrus growing regions, some favorite varieties to look forward to, and why OGC is the Pacific Northwest’s best source for organic specialty citrus.
Q: This year we’ve already started seeing citrus from Mexico and Texas, but the California season is just getting started. What are we buying now, and how long can we expect this season to last?
A: The start of the California season is exciting because it’s a region that is deeply familiar to us and home to growers that we have very long and significant relationships with. Each year organic Navels and Satsumas are some of the first varieties to start flowing out of that region. They’re on now, and they’re eating incredibly well.
We can expect to see the most variety of citrus coming from our partners in California well into March and April, with almost too many varieties to name. This region provides us with quite a few standard varieties throughout the year, as well.
Q: The California citrus growing region is really large. Can you talk more about the diversity of that region?
A: Absolutely! California-grown represents an enormous portion of the citrus that is consumed in the US and we’re particularly happy to know that more and more of it has transitioned to certified organic! While not all ranches fall into what is called the “Three Districts”, the vast majority do, with each district known for its own climate and the benefits and challenges that that climate presents. Those districts are:
District 1: The Central Valley Region
This is the largest district and one of the primary regions where Navel oranges are grown along with nearly every other variety we source. Summers in this district are hot and dry, with cooler wetter winters that really create ideal conditions for growers.
District 2: The Coastal Region
As to be expected with marine influence, this district is generally more temperate and mild. It’s fantastic for lemons and tangerines. It does represent a large amount of land, so the further east you travel in this district the climate does get more arid than in the coastal west, so growing practices are dynamic and there is variation in what these ranches produce.
District 3: The Desert Region
The Coachella Valley makes up most of this district, which is known for extreme fluctuations in temperature and consistent low humidity. Aridity presents some irrigation challenges but also makes for some incredibly flavorful fruit.
Q: In addition to the “Three Districts,” consumers can expect varieties to come in three phases: early, mid and late citrus. How do they differ and is fruit from one phase better than the other?
A: In terms of which varieties come on during the course of the season, I’m hesitant to say one phase is better than the other. The early phase brings us the first flush of our favorites, and there’s something thrilling about breaking open the perfect Navel, Satsuma or Clementine in December when your body really craves that bright, nutrient-dense food. As the season rolls on, we start seeing more specialty varieties popping up. January and February bring the peak of varietal diversity with incredible Blood Oranges, and a wide array of mandarins, varietal citruses and citrus crosses. By late February and March, we’re seeing gorgeous Minneola and Murcott mandarins, some of the best Kumquats and other citrus varieties with floral attributes that lend themselves well to creative cocktails. Late citrus varieties really celebrate the season’s finale with panache.
Q: Do you have a personal favorite?
A: It’s impossible to choose just one variety from all that we source. I love Satsumas. They’re easy-peel, seedless, have great flavor and are perfect during the holidays. Cara Cara Navels almost taste tropical. Page mandarins have such a perfect tangerine taste. Heirloom Navels have that quintessential orange flavor. Kishu because it’s so cute and easy to peel. They’re great for kids. I could go on!
Q: Sixty varieties is a lot! OGC provides the broadest selection of organic citrus to our customers in the Pacific Northwest. Why challenge ourselves to support such a broad program?
A: Well, first because we love it. OGC is lucky to have some true citrus experts on staff that help drive the specialty citrus market in our region. Our citrus buyer, Don Mayfield, is the best ambassador of citrus anyone could have the pleasure of working with. His excitement is palpable and he really leads our team by developing an understanding and appreciation of the value this category represents. We pride ourselves on our ability to share our knowledge of this category with our customers.
The Pacific Northwest is home to shoppers, chefs and cocktail programs that seek out more than just a few standard varieties. They’re adventurous consumers and bringing them the highest quality, most interesting and delicious citrus options is something that we find to be joyful for everyone involved.
We’ve spent many years cultivating outstanding relationships with our California growers, and those partners, their expertise in what they do, and the incredible product they provide motivates us to keep the citrus pipeline flowing north! OGC’s goal is to support independent, mid-sized citrus growers in the same way we support our local growers. We have many partners in our citrus program that rely on us to remain viable, and we take that responsibility very seriously.
Don Mayfield, Lucas Crawford, and Tom Lively. OGC’s January 2020, California Citrus Tour
While there’s pressure in that, the result is a citrus program that is authentic, robust, independent, and artisanal. And frankly, the fruit’s so good we’re confident that our accounts will experience their own success in marketing citrus from OGC. It’s superior in quality and flavor and we’re excited each year to get it into the market!
Q: Normally we’d be looking forward to visiting a few of those growers in January, but with folks being homebound this year, how are you simulating that experience?
A: What a bummer, right? Visiting the citrus ranches and walking the groves with growers is an opportunity that we all look forward to. Despite the fact that we cannot visit in person just yet, the fruit is still growing and delicious as ever, so OGC is working on bridging that gap digitally and remotely. Keep an eye out in the coming weeks and months to interact with OGC through our social media channels and for opportunities to engage with us digitally about what’s eating well and worth bringing in! We’ll all need a boost of Vitamin C this season!
OGC is looking forward to the citrus-laden months ahead and hopes you’ll join us as we eat our way through all 60 varieties!
