NUTRITION  // Mandarin season is almost here, and—while much of the country only knows them in canned form—we have the real deal right in our backyard. These citrus gems have a unique property to help you get through cold and flu season. Owari satsuma, the variety grown in Placer County, have a very high concentration of the phytochemical synephrine, which is a natural decongestant. A study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2008 found they had synephrine concentrations up to six times higher than values previously documented in orange juice. According to the study, 10 ounces of mandarin juice contain as much synephrine as one over-the-counter decongestant pill. Along with vitamins A and C, calcium and iron, mandarins are a healthful snack choice for all ages; and they taste delicious, too!

SELECTION AND STORAGE  //  Choose mandarins that are firm and heavy for their size. When spread into a single layer, they may be stored for a few days in a cool, dark spot. The juice freezes well in small portions; try using ice cube trays, then transfer cubes to a storage bag or container in the freezer for use throughout the year.

Celebrate PlacerGROWN Month

October 7: Loomis Eggplant Festival, www.loomischamber.com

October 8: Farm and Barn Tour, www.placergrown.org/events2/placergrownmonth

October 15: Crop to Tabletop Dinner, www.placergrown.org/events2/placergrownmonth

October 21: Machado Orchards Apple Festival, www.facebook.com/events/315169435570698 

October 21: Harvest Hoedown, www.placercfb.com

SAVE THE DATE

November 17-19: Mountain Mandarin Festival, www.mandarinfestival.com

For details on where to buy Placer County farm-fresh produce, wine, meat and local products, visit placergrown.org.

By Carol Arnold // PlacerGROWN photo courtesy of Bella Karragiannidis, ful-filled.com, @ful-filled.

WEB EXCLUSIVE

Sparkling Mandarin Mocktail

Recipe by Bella Karragiannidis, www.ful-filled.com

• 8 oz. fresh squeezed mandarin juice
• 12 oz. of sparkling lemon water or lemon kombucha
• Fresh basil leaves
• Ice, crushed or cubed

Muddle basil leaves in the fresh-squeezed mandarin juice. Add ice to two tall glasses. Divide sparkling lemon water between two glasses. Add basil-infused mandarin juice to each glass. Garnish with a slice of mandarin and fresh basil, and serve.