Sit back and enjoy food, topics and trends that start on California farms and ranches. take 5
A flavor
Craving tacos filled with crisp lettuce, enchiladas stuffed with melted cheese or spicy salsa bursting with fresh peppers? You don’t have to travel far to enjoy a south-of-the- border feast. California farmers and ranchers provide many of the fixings for a Mexican- inspired meal. In fact, the Golden State is the No. 1 producer of peppers, cilantro, lettuce and avocados in the U.S.—and a close No. 2 in cheese.
1.Peppers
Peppers provide a taste explosion, whether from the sweet tang of a bell pepper or the heat of a jalapeño. Peppers also add a splash of color. Depending on the variety, bell peppers turn from green to shades of red, yellow and orange if they’re left to linger on the vine. There are nearly 200 varieties of bell peppers grown in California. Did you know there’s a scale to measure a chile pepper’s pungency or heat? The Scoville scale was invented by
American pharmacist Wilbur Scoville in 1912.
2.Cilantro
Also known as Mexican or Chinese parsley, this leafy green herb dresses up meals in both its fresh and dried forms. Sprigs of fresh cilantro add a bright, citrusy tang to tacos, enchiladas and soups, and the dried seeds—called coriander—are used as a spice to flavor Mexican favorites from chorizo to beans.
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May/June 2021
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