Did you know that according to the 2012 USDA Agricultural Census, there are around 6,800 almond farms in California? Almost 75% of those farms are just 100 acres or less—most are under 50 acres. And even though California produces 100% of the U.S. almond supply and more than 70% of the almonds produced worldwide, 91% […]
Have you ever seen cashews growing on the tree? They are so weird-looking! The seed (what we call the “nut”) actually grows outside the bell-shaped fruit— like a clapper on the bell. Understandably, people have been curious about why they grow that way. In the Philippines there is even a popular folk legend about it: […]
Looking for a way to liven up broiled meat or fish? I have been! I eat WAY too many stir fries and other sauteéd dishes. I also want to eat more fish but don’t really like it unadorned. Today’s recipe is a delightful combination of almonds, apricot, scallions, lime, and ginger. It’s so easy and […]
It’s time to think of Maisie Jane’s as your go-to place for healthy—and just plain delicious—snack opportunities. We have so many to choose from. I thought I’d count the ways you can bring little moments of enjoyment of life to your daily routine! Wait, should I say something more about that first? Well, I’ve been […]
The Almond Trees are in blossom! It’s such a glorious time of year. And every year as I write this blog my thoughts turn to the artists who loved almond blossoms just as much. In the late winter of 1941, Post-Impressionist French painter Pierre Bonnard wrote to his friend Henri Matisse: “Today I saw the […]
In just two days it will be Holi Festival time—the festival of love and color celebrated many places in the world but particularly in India and Nepal. It’s a Hindu religious festival that has become popular with many non-Hindu people because it is just so joyous and fun! In fact, that’s the point. It celebrates […]
Did you know that if you dream of eating pistachios that you’re dreaming about wealth or prosperity? Yup! Especially if you come from the Middle East, the region where pistachios originated, eating pistachios is associated with blessings of all sorts. If the pistachio is mature, it could mean easy money is coming your way. If […]
I love chicken dinners. It can be comfort food, especially in winter, simply broiled or fried with string beans and mashed potatoes. Or it can be the jumping off place for something truly inspired. Today’s recipe could be both! It is fancy enough for a special dinner but so easy to make, you might just […]
We’re celebrating trees on the blog today! We celebrate Arbor Day in California on March 7th in honor of horticulturist Luther Burbank’s birthday. Did you know that Luther Burbank got his start in the field when he chose the almond as the rootstock to fulfill a commission from an investor who wanted to cash in […]
It’s Bloom season here in Chico. It’s been raining more this year than most, but our bees did find a break in the weather to help pollinate the trees. Time will tell how well they were able to do. In the meantime, it is always glorious to see the almond trees burst into bloom. Locals […]