Tropicana recently changed from 96 oz. cartons (jugs) to 84 oz. ones, and the jug is a cheaper design, with a lid that just lifts. I preferred the screw-on one. The price remained the same; you just get less juice.

Those Australian oranges that someone mentioned above are probably the best you'll ever get! I love them, and look for them to arrive in stores here at this time of year. They are plumper, jucier, and better tasting than US oranges. South Afrcan oranges seem to be fairly close, but not always better than those grown here. The Aussie ones are in a class of their own!

As for foreign products, mandarin oranges are almost ALL from China. I think one brand stll uses some from Spain.

Burleson's honey uses honey from the US, India, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, and bleeping Mexico!
Fortunately, honey is so sweet that it kills germs, and has been used to dress wounds from ancient times. I don't suppose it is unsafe when sourced from some of those countries.

But I really object to products from China, a nation that is so repressive, and which has such lax health standards.

Back to orange juice: the late W.D. Randall, Jr., the famous custom knifemaker, told me that he thought Minute Maid was best, and tried to sell his oranges to them. (Many of you know that Randall has orange groves as well as making knives.) I understand that he used to hunt with the buyer for Minute Maid.

Some oranges reach the market while still green. I asked the present Randall, Gary, about this. He said that oranges should be ORANGE, and that this represents hasty picking by some growers.

I'm seriously thinking of changing brands since Tropicana changed their jugs.

By the way, I like the variety that has extra pulp. They at least offer a choice.

HEB grocers in Texas (Central Market in Dallas) have their own orange juice, which is very good.


T-Star

++ on the Aussie oranges. They are excellent. Very heavy for their size.

I'll have to see if the local store carries Florida Natural. I'm very finicky as to where our fruits come from, and try very hard buy US fruits and veggies. During the summer, we'll buy directly from the local farmers.

quote:

Originally posted by pberry:
I believe I heard a couple of years ago that Florida had some problem with orange trees and had to distroy a bunch of them.

The citrus industry has faced several challenges and the citrus canker you are probably refering to is one. Another has been freezes. But the largest has been development. Why spend your life working your rear end off for what may or may not be a reasonable payoff every year? Selling the land to developers and living the life of ease has been too big a temptation for many of the current generation to resist. Sadly, a scenario being repeated in agriculture all over the country.

Florida's Natural, BTW, is one of three big co-ops around here where you're getting juice produced by the owners. They're worthy of your support and the product is first class.

Bob

I like the Florida's Natural. Tropicana reminds me of a midget hooker.... it's a little tart.