Ojai Pixie Tangerines

Ojai Pixie Tangerines are super sweet, juicy, seedless, easy-to-peel, and unbelievably delicious! I can promise you, if you’re a citrus lover, Ojai Pixies will not disappoint! You’ll very likely declare they’re the best tangerines you’ve ever had.

Sweet, seedless, and delicious — that’s how I like my citrus.

Welcome to the Ojai Valley in Southern California.

Melissa’s Produce took a few food bloggers (thank you for inviting me!) to Ojai to learn about Ojai Pixie Tangerines.

We toured Friend’s Ranch and Churchill Brennis Orchard —  just two of the forty some Pixie Tangerine family farms in the Valley.  And what’s really cool, is that while all of these farms grow fruit on their own, they band together for the picking, packing and selling. Like one big family.

What makes Ojai Pixies so special?

With sunshine and heat all day, and cool temperatures at night, the Ojai Valley is an ideal spot for growing this gem.  It’s this climate combination that helps develop the unmatched sweetness of a Pixie Tangerine.

Every single Pixie Tangerine is individually hand picked by really nice, really hardworking fruit pickers.

They work very carefully, but quickly, and one by one, they add them to a big canvas bag worn around their bodies.

From there they’re gently poured into crates and brought to the packing facility, where they are sorted and boxed, and then sent off to distributors such as Melissa’s, and to others all over the country.

When are Ojai Pixie Tangerines in season?

The Pixie season generally gets started in March, and goes through May. It’s a short season — so you must get them while you can!  Ojai Pixies are too special to miss!

If you don’t see them in your local market, you can find out where they’re sold here.

They’re are absolutely delicious simply out of hand, and they peel quite easily.  It’s the best way to eat them — super juicy and sweet, you’ll love them!

Ojai Pixie Tangerines are also fantastic in recipes, and here are few of my favorites:

• Pixie-Mascarpone Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
• Individual Ojai Pixie Cheesecakes
• Avocado-Beet, and Pixie Tangerine Salad
• Colorful Citrus Carrot Salad

Emily Ayala (top right), owns Friend’s Ranch with her brother George Thacher and their parents, Anne and Tony Thacher — they all run the day-to-day operations.  And Lisa Brenneis (bottom right), and her husband, Jim Churchill own and run Churchill Brennis Orchard.

As these lovely folks educated us about Pixie tangerines, I could hear the passion in their voices, and see the love for what they do.  And that’s reflected in the fruit they grow.

P.S.  Ojai holds a special place in my heart.  In 1964, my mom and dad were married there at The Ranch House, and in 2002, Stephen and I got married there, too — at the same place.  (If you find yourself in Ojai, I highly recommend The Ranch House — delicious food in a stunning setting.)

Thank you to Melissa’s Produce for a fun, educational day — with a great group of people!

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