Gourmet News

California Avocado Season Under Way

Published April 24, 2023

The California Avocado Commission announces the kickoff to the 2023 season with fresh, delicious fruit available now through summer. From smoothies and salads to dips and desserts, California avocados are packed with flavor and nutrients, and are a versatile staple in any diet.

In celebration of the new season, CAC encourages consumers to experience all that California avocados have to offer, while sharing some knowledge along the way. Ever wonder when, where and how to shop for California avocados? Curious about the best way to cut an avocado? To ensure you make the most of this delicious fruit, CAC is rounding up the top five things to know about California avocados so you’re prepared all season long:

Although you may see avocados in stores all year round, it’s important to know that California avocados are only available from spring through summer
Look for California on the label to ensure you’re enjoying locally grown California avocados. And if you can’t find conventionally grown California avocados, don’t forget to check the organic section!
Locally grown California avocados are cared for by about 3,000 growers and picked at their peak, resulting in fruit that is consistent in taste and texture. Since they are grown close to home, California avocados go from tree to table in just a few days
California avocados are a sodium- and cholesterol-free heart-healthy superfood. The greatest concentration of beneficial carotenoids is in the dark green fruit of the avocado closest to the peel. To get to the heart-healthy nutrient-dense fruit directly under the peel, peel the skin from the avocado, instead of scooping. Learn more about CAC’s “nick and peel” method here
From smoothies and salads to dips and desserts, CAC’s website offers unlimited access to unique and versatile recipes featuring in-season California avocados, such as this Dungeness Crab Stuffed California Avocado recipe and this Strawberry, Watermelon, Avocado and Mint Smoothie recipe, perfect for the warmer months

“We’re all pros when it comes to eating avocados, but knowing where to find California avocados and understanding the benefits of buying local are the first steps to a consistent experience,” said Terry Splane, vice president of marketing of the commission. “We hope you find these tips helpful the next time you’re shopping for California avocados, and we encourage you to take advantage of fresh, in-season California avocados to help elevate every meal for any occasion.”

For additional tips and tricks, delicious seasonal recipes, avocado nutrition and more, California avocado enthusiasts can visit CaliforniaAvocado.com, and follow along on Facebook at Facebook.com/CaliforniaAvocados, and on Twitter and Instagram at @CA_Avocados.

Created in 1978, the California Avocado Commission strives to enhance the premium positioning of California avocados through advertising, promotion and public relations, and engages in related industry activities. California avocados are cultivated with uncompromising dedication to quality and freshness, by about 3,000 growers in the Golden State. The California Avocado Commission serves as the official information source for California avocados and the California avocado industry. Visit CaliforniaAvocado.com.

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Philadelphia Cream Cheese Debuts Tax-Free Bagel

Published April 14, 2023

New York City may be the bagel capital of the world, but its residents incur a ludicrous “bagel tax” each time they opt to purchase a bagel that’s sliced and schmeared with cream cheese. As a brand that has set the cream cheese standard for 150 years, Philadelphia believes that no one should have to pay an extra tax to experience its silky-smooth delight. To address the New York bagel tax head-on, the brand is taking the tax and stuffing it (literally) with the debut of the new, limited-edition Tax-Free Bagel – available nationwide through Tax Day, Tuesday, April 18.

Created in partnership with the iconic H&H Bagels in New York City – the renowned 50-year-old bagel shop fans across the country know and love – the Tax-Free Bagel is a full-sized, unsliced bagel filled with smooth, creamy Philly cream cheese. The elimination of the bagel’s slice and schmear circumvents the additional tax requirement, making fans’ favorite bagel and schmear all the more enjoyable.

“In today’s landscape, people are juggling enough hurdles, and having to pay an extra tax to enjoy their favorite bagel with Philly cream cheese should simply not be one of them,” said Keenan White, senior brand manager, Philadelphia at Kraft Heinz Company. “A bagel with Philly cream cheese is an experience that so many know and love, so in partnership with H&H bagels, we wanted to provide a delicious solution to this silly tax in a way that kept the enjoyment of our brand at its core, literally.s

The Tax-Free Bagel will be available locally in H&H Bagel’s Manhattan-based locations and for national delivery at HHBagels.com, giving New Yorkers and people coast-to-coast the opportunity to partake in stuffing this ridiculous tax while supplies last. The Tax-Free Bagel will be available in H&H Bagel’s three best-selling flavors of Plain, Everything and Cinnamon Raisin, all stuffed with Philly cream cheese for a rich and creamy taste and texture in each bite.

“We pride ourselves on being ‘like no other bagel in the world,’ and are thrilled to partner with Philly, a fellow category icon that is truly unlike any other cream cheese in the world,” said Jay Rushin, CEO, H&H Bagels. “We know first-hand that bagels and cream cheese are the perfect pairing and want to show appreciation for our fans’ continued support by introducing the Tax-Free Bagel – because we believe nobody should be taxed for the simple pleasure of an H&H bagel with Philly cream cheese.”

For more information on the Tax-Free Bagel and how to purchase, follow along on Philadelphia’s Instagram at @phillycreamchs.

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Want Lower Egg Prices? Just Date a Farmer

Published April 14, 2023

The “egg crisis” is making consumers’ lives complicated—prices have skyrocketed, shelves are bare, and people are turning to unconventional ways to get their eggs. As a brand that’s all about finding unconventional solutions to make consumers’ lives easier, Just Crack an Egg has you covered: Just Date a Farmer. Just Crack an Egg, a quick delicious breakfast meal using a fresh egg, is partnering with FarmersOnly.com, the popular dating website with over 1.5 million single farmers looking for love, to give egg lovers the opportunity to meet a farmer and in return get fresh and affordable eggs.

Customers who purchase Just Crack an Egg can upload their receipt to www.justdateafarmer.com to receive a unique code for a free, premium year subscription to FarmersOnly.com, while supplies last.

“Finding affordable eggs has become a pain point for many Americans, and since consumers need to crack a fresh egg to create their own delicious Just Crack an Egg scramble, we wanted to help egg lovers find an unconventional solution while providing a little humor along the way,” said Kelsey Rice, senior brand manager, Just Crack an Egg. “As the first refrigerated breakfast scramble, Just Crack an Egg has a history of cracking conventional thinking. We know there are farmers out there with a plethora of eggs, so by partnering with FarmersOnly.com, we are making it easy to connect those searching for eggs- how they get the eggs is up to them.”

“At Farmers Only, we’re all about creating a solution for people trying to find their perfect match and, now, for finding eggs,” says Michael Gober of Farmers Only. “We’re excited to partner with Just Crack an Egg for a fun solution to getting eggs, and potentially a date with a farmer.”

Just Crack an Egg highlights the simplicity of using a fresh egg in your morning routine. Simply crack a fresh egg into deliciously prepared ingredients like cheese, vegetables, potatoes and meat to create a hot, fluffy scramble from the microwave in less than 2 minutes. Once you have your eggs (however you get them) look for Just Crack an Egg in the egg aisle at retailers nationwide. Available in seven different scramble kits, including Denver, All American, Ultimate Rustic, Protein Packed, Southwest Styles, and Veggie.

For more information, visit www.justdateafarmer.com or follow the brand @JustCrackAnEgg on Facebook and Instagram.

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