Food & Farm News
» March 5, 2009 «
Artichoke harvest set to begin
Harvest of perennial artichokes will start in about a week. Consumers who like the texture of perennial varieties will find them marketed as classic green globe artichokes. Aficionados of the perennials say the flesh of the stems and leaves have more flavor. They will be available for the next two months and again in the fall. Annual artichoke plants make it possible to find fresh, California-grown artichokes throughout the year now. Weather in the growing region around Castroville has been mild, allowing workers the opportunity to harvest.
Almond pollination nears completion 
It's been raining during much of the three weeks that California almond orchards have been in bloom. However, farmers say there have been enough dry periods for bees to perform their pollination work. The weather wasn't as ideal as it was last year at bloom time, but most farmers agree that the precipitation is needed to replenish reservoir water supplies. The almond crop may be a bit lighter this year. The later varieties' bloom will end next week.
Wine may reduce risk of esophageal cancer
A recent study shows that people who drink a glass of red or white wine daily have a 56 percent less chance of developing cancer of the esophagus. The Kaiser Permanente study looked at 953 men and women in Northern California between 2002 and 2005 to reach their conclusions. Researchers think that wine drinkers typically consume food with their wine, which reduces the potentially damaging effect of alcohol on esophageal tissue.
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