tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23729980189853101392023-11-15T23:15:57.289-08:00CitraphileJacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-16155242183644535372012-01-06T06:37:00.000-08:002012-01-06T06:37:05.182-08:00Blood OrangesIt's amazing what people think about food sometimes. I was having a snack at lunch one day when a coworker was preparing to peel a blood orange. The mere name of the orange seemed to cause him to pause before venturing out to taste it. All the while another coworker was saying how horrible the idea was of having vampire oranges and that it would taste meaty.<br />
His face changed as he peeled it back. Having gone that far already he decided he had to at least taste it. It came as no surprise to me that he didn't like it, although he did say that it wasn't as bad as he was expecting. He described it as a cross between and orange and pomegranate.<br />
He let me have the rest of the orange along with another one he had bought. I have to admit that it wasn't the best blood orange I'd had but it wasn't bad. The guy who sits one cube over wanted the other one so I let him have it. He agreed that they were a bit sour.Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-45346156572824250752011-11-04T21:12:00.000-07:002011-11-04T22:08:13.861-07:00Citrus SeasonCitrus season is upon us! If you ever wondered why stockings were filled with oranges, I know I did when I was little, it's because this is the time when it's easiest to get a good orange or grapefruit. Lemons and other small citrus is a little easier around the year but are still easer now.<br />Leaves of course are a year round thing and so the thai basil noodles my wife likes so much don't have a season but that's neither here nor there. Maybe it should be here...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FhPG8Jc0VcGeG2YGD6N4acjNhHjZ7R3Tuiyr_e_1X9mv_Ml06ah72VT41X8TnYljQiP7Qt7Z9TJn9nKTr_Lw3OrEcu-Gmz88i-M4Fq8R4HvJQbuByQfPLemv_lt8DjTfluGwq5PbqDo/s1600/Clementines.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 346px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671374085597764754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FhPG8Jc0VcGeG2YGD6N4acjNhHjZ7R3Tuiyr_e_1X9mv_Ml06ah72VT41X8TnYljQiP7Qt7Z9TJn9nKTr_Lw3OrEcu-Gmz88i-M4Fq8R4HvJQbuByQfPLemv_lt8DjTfluGwq5PbqDo/s400/Clementines.JPG" /></a>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-28231690109589991042011-04-16T21:38:00.000-07:002011-04-16T21:42:20.284-07:00Lemon Tree DiedOk, it's official, the lemon tree has died. I left it out this winter in hopes that it might survive and be a super hardy lemon tree. It didn't happen but I don't feel too bad about it. I was out and about today and saw a citrus tree that had to be fifteen years old or more. The trunk was thick and had many branches. It was dead. The frost probably hit it pretty hard this last winter as it did a lot of trees in the area. Good news... The kaffir lime tree lives! Of course I kept it inside and under a grow light with plenty of water and babying but I really really like it.Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-66678422946943637032011-03-24T21:02:00.000-07:002011-03-24T21:19:14.659-07:00Blood Orange Chesecake<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTcEQzR_2H6tO9EmV1-BamaFPMX2rZ-mKpJYUv8aoKO3L6g9FBvl9kQeHpKfhr-oIMraZDsXkIXhhMacNm0ouiLuis4swZ01oH2r5EIHAAN4C-XxcXR25IVdAfzk345sXIButw2d9uUY/s1600/Blood+Orange+Cheesecake.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587867246327706258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTcEQzR_2H6tO9EmV1-BamaFPMX2rZ-mKpJYUv8aoKO3L6g9FBvl9kQeHpKfhr-oIMraZDsXkIXhhMacNm0ouiLuis4swZ01oH2r5EIHAAN4C-XxcXR25IVdAfzk345sXIButw2d9uUY/s400/Blood+Orange+Cheesecake.JPG" /></a><br /><div>We made a cheesecake using blood oranges for flavoring. It didn't turn it red but there is a slight pink tint to it. The flavor really is the best part anyhow.</div><br /><div>If you have never had a blood orange, they're very sweet and juicy. Unfortunately the ones we had had been sitting for a while and had lost some of their juice but we still got enough for the recipe.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This should work with most cheesecake recipes but if it turns out horribly wrong when you try it then I'm glad I said "should".</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In a small sauce pan comgine 1 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons orange zest.</div><br /><div>Boil until sugar dissolves then lower heat to medium and simmer for 20 minutes.</div><br /><div>Chill in the fridge to at least room temperature.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Pretty simple and tasty.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Nom nom nom nom nom...</div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-38423730973321196342011-02-21T08:27:00.000-08:002011-02-21T08:41:17.440-08:00How to Eat a KumquatMost citrus fruit is really easy to eat. Even grapefruit is a cinch if you know what to do.<br />The task I'm going to explain though is eating a kumquat. The problems eating a kumquat are that it's small and there are a lot of seeds in it. You can eat the peel and have a more bitter experience or you can easily remove the seeds and peel.<br /><br />First you cut around the outside of the kumquat most of the way into the center.<br /><br />Second, twist the two halves apart. This takes some practice since you might not have cut it quite right.<br /><br />Third, remove the seeds and plant them if you want to. They will grow an a wide variety of locations or even indoors.<br /><br />Fourth, Scoop out the inside with a teaspoon. The peel isn't very thick so go slowly and work your way around and down the peel. You might have to pull it out a little once it reaches the bottom but it should be easy to remove.<br /><br />After you have peeled your kumquat you can dry the peel and use it in your potpourri. It has a wonderful mix of citrus oils and is quite fragrant.Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-9917778713125968792011-02-15T20:21:00.000-08:002011-02-15T20:31:06.878-08:00Pruning the Lemon TreeThis winter it has gotten very cold. I decided early on that I wasn't going to bring the lemon tree in this year, sink or swim as they say. As you might know, lemon trees are evergreens and don't usually loose their leaves. Apparently they loose them if it gets too cold so as to protect the branches and the rest of the tree from freezing to death.<br />I took this opportunity to trim up the branches so they weren't competing so much. They had gotten pretty tangled. This also gives a good look at the thorns it has. Up the right side is a good view of some that are over two inches long.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprsPjuz1pQJyeeQ-8VB0di34t56ycUOH6su90y1OK-A0cODmEp7VAWeTX09bFEtHPh-Lbk0U832gd7lbICadEFs25Ty9R7iHBuMUAANI3VEkZLUXLdY-pp0XpjoXAfSPbOQnK2ornBE0/s1600/Leafless+Lemon.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574138222480018530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprsPjuz1pQJyeeQ-8VB0di34t56ycUOH6su90y1OK-A0cODmEp7VAWeTX09bFEtHPh-Lbk0U832gd7lbICadEFs25Ty9R7iHBuMUAANI3VEkZLUXLdY-pp0XpjoXAfSPbOQnK2ornBE0/s400/Leafless+Lemon.JPG" /></a><br /><div> </div><div>This gave me a great idea. Cats have been sleeping and lounging in my vegetable bed. Someone told me that if you lay bamboo or other poky sticks across the area that cats won't want to lie in it anymore. I had my doubts but it seems to work pretty well with citrus trimmings. I went out there today and it looked like a cat tried to move them out of the way but without success. I pushed some of the thorns into the ground to anchor them.</div><div>I know my indoor cats don't like the thorns and so far the outside strays don't either.</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7OcGkbtV2hQ0lYSEOcHbDuJDVq3g1rSRPp0Yic70x1R87uhL1oLU6xriF1iyt0T1Z5Mm2qEB8FZqXn3qU1b9RzvP4zrRZij9AZNV6fbo2XVXxjCXwMlAq9uZ3hFBRBzEYObAHm3hXuE/s1600/Citrus+Cuttings.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574138218734291282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7OcGkbtV2hQ0lYSEOcHbDuJDVq3g1rSRPp0Yic70x1R87uhL1oLU6xriF1iyt0T1Z5Mm2qEB8FZqXn3qU1b9RzvP4zrRZij9AZNV6fbo2XVXxjCXwMlAq9uZ3hFBRBzEYObAHm3hXuE/s400/Citrus+Cuttings.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-57915979485779056792011-01-26T11:06:00.000-08:002011-01-26T11:12:59.926-08:00Buddha's HandI have never had a citrus go bad so quickly. I didn't take any pictures since it was pretty much a powdery green coating on the fingers of the fruit which started from the middle of the fruit and spread outward, but I felt that I had to describe it.<br />I cut it open to look for seeds since I was obviously not eating it. Inside it had a very sweet smell, not at all unpleasant, and no seeds. I hear they're pretty uncommon in this variety. Next time I get one I will cut it open right away to see exactly what the deep inside tastes like. I would guess that it's probably much sweeter than it's relatives.<br />The bit I did cut off, before the powdering started, and tasted a little of was strong but not as rindish as you might expect. It also might be possible to ferment the insides due to a higher sugar content.Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-59851543797988504272011-01-20T23:33:00.000-08:002011-01-20T23:39:55.840-08:00Buddha's Hand CitrusI didn't know what to expect but it's an obvious choice for variety. I went ahead and got the large one since they were priced by the piece even though it had a few pieces already cut off of it.<br />The peel has large oil nodules in the skin and is very fragrant, a cross between orange and lemon somewhere.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZiyPer_woYJoyiqaDg4jFIEaxUHyMrvCKqZWzdf7Rw762eWBoJbprnY1RuHkFxAab_uH6QUL_SVodQukwcxfOKGKuYm9VRj9O3PlkokyNRXJiS46KLIsk9mYSlcVeGIUbR0jA88n4fU/s1600/Buddha%2527s+Hand+Citrus.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564539518313073874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZiyPer_woYJoyiqaDg4jFIEaxUHyMrvCKqZWzdf7Rw762eWBoJbprnY1RuHkFxAab_uH6QUL_SVodQukwcxfOKGKuYm9VRj9O3PlkokyNRXJiS46KLIsk9mYSlcVeGIUbR0jA88n4fU/s400/Buddha%2527s+Hand+Citrus.JPG" /></a><br /><div> </div><div>Centrel Market is having their Citrus Fest going on and they were handing out these handy reference booklets for ideas on what you can use the different kinds for. The Buddha's Hand is typically candied and is the recomenation they give. I hope to getting around to trying it in the next day or so.</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpho6re0p8oaYe3GRNcxO8AoEKUb-OICTwgexx_SZDGhxhLaotPk5FcMxAF90X1DLIqjb_Czo4qyb9YincFl5_V-O5W4GdIyU9rCprnSA25ql-1NMZTlkIgQXUGoY3hiVxNOfHPxc2qQ/s1600/Citrus+Fest+Handout.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564539511543272466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpho6re0p8oaYe3GRNcxO8AoEKUb-OICTwgexx_SZDGhxhLaotPk5FcMxAF90X1DLIqjb_Czo4qyb9YincFl5_V-O5W4GdIyU9rCprnSA25ql-1NMZTlkIgQXUGoY3hiVxNOfHPxc2qQ/s400/Citrus+Fest+Handout.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-44863277907359327722011-01-19T21:09:00.000-08:002011-01-19T21:16:36.197-08:00Etog HeartAt first I couldn't figure out exactly what this citrus was. It was with the etogs but didn't look the same.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yfJDZrhayZFqAw4jaOku_CSckooBZMooHmT_wSo9n4FjCSVc0OBQo5aLgDL0egqKvUuk5lqI5IjV-pZODgVBmXTu-bwJ9iIXhcmLmy_ARH8NwHqtK_fiktCSRjOfCfypguUzfYevbp4/s1600/Etog+Heart+in+Hand.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564131647766799234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yfJDZrhayZFqAw4jaOku_CSckooBZMooHmT_wSo9n4FjCSVc0OBQo5aLgDL0egqKvUuk5lqI5IjV-pZODgVBmXTu-bwJ9iIXhcmLmy_ARH8NwHqtK_fiktCSRjOfCfypguUzfYevbp4/s400/Etog+Heart+in+Hand.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>After I got it home I split it open and took a look. It was strange to see the outer peek cutting through the middle of the fruit but at least I could now identify it. It was an etog but it had two fruits combined into one.</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbgrquecEM5nQ2UWcL9ojUTvB-vwohqIXvI8EwpRpD85CpJ3Unx_cEa1eCX4sG7Vc_NCYnH9lg5bBjMJ6GoJg-VafBmYD8za8KPUlujRo5ujsbyuiJFlr3ER_Uqj8PLTBO7zbqe8jwTk/s1600/Etog+Heart.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564131296650867266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbgrquecEM5nQ2UWcL9ojUTvB-vwohqIXvI8EwpRpD85CpJ3Unx_cEa1eCX4sG7Vc_NCYnH9lg5bBjMJ6GoJg-VafBmYD8za8KPUlujRo5ujsbyuiJFlr3ER_Uqj8PLTBO7zbqe8jwTk/s400/Etog+Heart.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>This split shows an even better view of the inner peel. Plenty of seeds here to plant even though the inside had little juice. Another zester.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPxN06q4kBZRQTLIeCfVfnpqfmFaUNu_O4IxiLQCZr5_Dv9hZWgGzvsSGNgnCgCv3-fh2mcJ6sU3W663LXiI045lMLElkAFJXIltYgX0DNjTY5e5rCFJGtGIDzJEnkCTpU1va5e4JGWY/s1600/Etog+Broken+Heart.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564131292943031458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPxN06q4kBZRQTLIeCfVfnpqfmFaUNu_O4IxiLQCZr5_Dv9hZWgGzvsSGNgnCgCv3-fh2mcJ6sU3W663LXiI045lMLElkAFJXIltYgX0DNjTY5e5rCFJGtGIDzJEnkCTpU1va5e4JGWY/s400/Etog+Broken+Heart.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-64794910263956614272011-01-19T14:46:00.000-08:002011-01-19T21:09:01.427-08:00Blood Orange SyrupMy first attempt at making this has not turned out as well as I hoped. I cooked it on too high of a heat and the sugar started to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">caramelize</span>. It still doeasn't taste bad but the color is more of a red-brown. I think I will try reducing the juice first next time and see if that helps any. <div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxi3Ifwb8xpdhH4YgH2UfDXgX2uo4RFWfM21rm16LNXDqq35igL_LqF_OcR69ei2GilEoMkzmlBmuwrlEFkqeCC0O0ffL_xqDmXs_b1EFmmac8tEoLPGwC76DZ366EpIKlASqyAcqaAbA/s1600/Caramelized+Blood+Orange+Syrup.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564130621795278210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxi3Ifwb8xpdhH4YgH2UfDXgX2uo4RFWfM21rm16LNXDqq35igL_LqF_OcR69ei2GilEoMkzmlBmuwrlEFkqeCC0O0ffL_xqDmXs_b1EFmmac8tEoLPGwC76DZ366EpIKlASqyAcqaAbA/s400/Caramelized+Blood+Orange+Syrup.JPG" /></a></div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-46143630622139400382011-01-03T22:13:00.001-08:002011-01-03T22:21:19.641-08:00Yuzu CitrusThis has to be one of the more bitter citrus fruits I have come across. The flavor is mixed in well with the equally strong tart flavor and gives a good overall flavor. There isn't much juice in one of these. When I first picked it up I wondered if it had gone bad. They all had the same feel to them and so I bought a couple.<br />Below is a whole yuzu that has some of the zest removed. The green color from the rind gives the zest and interesting look to it. Some of the fruit is greener than others so it depends on what color you want from it as to which one you decide to pick up.<br />The zest is very flavorful and gives off a very lemony scent with a hint of orange.<br />They more than make up in seeds what they lack in juice. After taking this picture I took all of the seeds out of the first one and came up with a total of 18 seeds. They were large too and totally plantable. If you want to try growing citrus this is a good pick.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJd-uL3-IuCxckGdyoVxsNGRrWk2amYqVL6bpYkyd6JPGnZ68wHyQxDCicLxCOHkkV7-kzVBPAmfkyVys5VPsQV6EfrN51xhFCmrzbx3SqnDKKY8EDrzqQtcFn33f0tHt4sDkrwXZWYo/s1600/Yuzu+Citrus.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 331px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558210080764666290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJd-uL3-IuCxckGdyoVxsNGRrWk2amYqVL6bpYkyd6JPGnZ68wHyQxDCicLxCOHkkV7-kzVBPAmfkyVys5VPsQV6EfrN51xhFCmrzbx3SqnDKKY8EDrzqQtcFn33f0tHt4sDkrwXZWYo/s400/Yuzu+Citrus.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-47511851305331461442010-12-29T21:02:00.000-08:002010-12-29T21:10:20.325-08:00Ugli FruitI'm going to have to go back to get more until I get some viable seeds but it was still well worth the cost. The flavor is a mix between an orange and a slight taste of lemon.<br />It is indeed ugly but there is plenty of juice in it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0n021BnjaeB89-IKFevL5_Up1knSR5GI-pPOrP8Tox_znYVE0cRClBxt_t55tS-7GUJhuZu45Pqb1xyHB0HT5-ar5Diz_g33A1fvUVjmaumu0pkxA4Rrh4fn5VeLU6oDCocNDFNKhc-o/s1600/Ugli.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556337174193726594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0n021BnjaeB89-IKFevL5_Up1knSR5GI-pPOrP8Tox_znYVE0cRClBxt_t55tS-7GUJhuZu45Pqb1xyHB0HT5-ar5Diz_g33A1fvUVjmaumu0pkxA4Rrh4fn5VeLU6oDCocNDFNKhc-o/s400/Ugli.JPG" /></a><br /><div> </div><div>There is a little space in the middle and it has good color to it.</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yG2Ms1ITyk0fCtQlgEpVz1axTrcQWe4hyphenhyphenTuB8tH0stlpzDbF38xsntLPUxhpfyRvpKMp66qZ5XO1JJ_0i5K03iruWuFxLihT9RG29JJcAadgIUcFHfYt_JhEQotzhQf8RZjJMANWE6E/s1600/Ugli+Split.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556337146662226818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yG2Ms1ITyk0fCtQlgEpVz1axTrcQWe4hyphenhyphenTuB8tH0stlpzDbF38xsntLPUxhpfyRvpKMp66qZ5XO1JJ_0i5K03iruWuFxLihT9RG29JJcAadgIUcFHfYt_JhEQotzhQf8RZjJMANWE6E/s400/Ugli+Split.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>The seeds weren't mature yet in this fruit but there should be plenty of seeds on one of them eventually. The seeds are about the same size as other citrus fruit usually but all I found was these little guys.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvnQiRRYRBxCefo4UpKzNx5XmpEAe1vOG7AqcKrS9IGdaUX3_yDU-_LVjABJGkGZU_Ap7TiU0rwPioWJbvnf_lo6BEtkgKmv2Y2I4JCLeCE5f1txFZhFDjMQngD0aa4FuMXPze_0qybQ/s1600/Immature+Ugli+Seeds.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556337145004407058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvnQiRRYRBxCefo4UpKzNx5XmpEAe1vOG7AqcKrS9IGdaUX3_yDU-_LVjABJGkGZU_Ap7TiU0rwPioWJbvnf_lo6BEtkgKmv2Y2I4JCLeCE5f1txFZhFDjMQngD0aa4FuMXPze_0qybQ/s400/Immature+Ugli+Seeds.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>I'm going to have to go back to get more until I get some seeds but it was well worth the experience. The flavor is a mix</div></div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-87011736672387100722010-11-18T20:10:00.000-08:002010-11-19T10:43:58.874-08:00Inside Citrus TimeWinter is fast approaching and the time has come to bring all of the tropical plants inside. This includes the plumeria, kaffir lime tree, which has outgrown the plant hutch, and the lemon tree which is becoming a real tree and, don't be too harsh, still needs a new pot.<br />I plan to section off an area for the plants soon, bigger than the hutch, to keep the cats from eating all the leaves. They don't really eat the leaves but the chew them up and spit them out in gooey messes on the floor.Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-65147666798166860572010-11-18T14:14:00.000-08:002010-11-18T16:44:01.555-08:00Not a Touch of CitrusAmong the wide variety of citrus taste in the non-citrus world one surprising source was chocolate. I'm not talking about the chocolate orange which has flavors added to it but just the natural flavor that can be brought out of certain cocoa beans.<br /><div>The variety of flavors that can come from the bean itself can be quite amazing depending on where the plant is grown and what variety it is.</div><div>I went on a cruise earlier this month where my wife lectured on a number of topics including chocolate and we were able to go to a farm that raised cacao plants as well as coffee, bananas, sugar and citrus.</div><div>The samples we tasted there were wonderful. My new favorite taste is the white pulp from the cacao pod that surrounds the beans. It's like a sweet pineapple flavor.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfvRXpzCiVgUweyaKlYpcB9Bsx5yKh1lvb-DJqGWTp5uNPvHvr6RIQN716xkYoDvB2ACs4_g7EQTOan-qSyhzf6QG4Kq3-ytVXu13r7QfX4T8bC5AoToAAGstGtydYefxRd0nFpuo8xU/s1600/Cacao+Pod.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541055005930618786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfvRXpzCiVgUweyaKlYpcB9Bsx5yKh1lvb-DJqGWTp5uNPvHvr6RIQN716xkYoDvB2ACs4_g7EQTOan-qSyhzf6QG4Kq3-ytVXu13r7QfX4T8bC5AoToAAGstGtydYefxRd0nFpuo8xU/s400/Cacao+Pod.JPG" /></a></div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-57102250769827539042010-11-02T13:56:00.000-07:002010-11-02T14:04:15.704-07:00Kaffir Lime Tree UpdateSo far the little tree hasn't gotten a whole lot bigger but it's still growing. It's hiding between the plumeria and the lantana.<br />This winter it's coming inside and sitting in the study unil the last frost. Then I'm going to get it a brand new pot, wither 5 or 10 gallon, for it to spread it's roots and have a chance to really thrive.<br />The next plant I want to get is a couple buddah's hands. Since seeds from these are rare I'm going to have to find a way to get them live. Living in Texas that's going to be hard because of the import ban on many plants from other states. The Triffid Ranch is my first place to look. They did a post about cooking it once, I think recently, but I havn't had a chance to call them up and ask.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVPfgjfMAzVF3JKQCE9VOqPuM2okZExyrTslVYjiLr-v4QvcP5VuSY4kwkGw2J6yj9IBfMlXE_N-5aOAJMqtsy8tT32eRfUsKt1Nv0Gj8L4jbm2jkblTWLaPpH-6P7IpLSZPTKkztAPU/s1600/Kaffir+Lime+Tree.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535059456669549650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVPfgjfMAzVF3JKQCE9VOqPuM2okZExyrTslVYjiLr-v4QvcP5VuSY4kwkGw2J6yj9IBfMlXE_N-5aOAJMqtsy8tT32eRfUsKt1Nv0Gj8L4jbm2jkblTWLaPpH-6P7IpLSZPTKkztAPU/s400/Kaffir+Lime+Tree.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-36286692230683533132010-10-31T16:28:00.001-07:002010-10-31T16:42:59.502-07:00Lemon ResilianceThis is what I think about when I imagine lemon trees, leaves pushing up into the sun while defending themselves with spiky stems.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42PeYwNGDVtygIo6mB4xCOhO6Nejoh0oawZ0OVChx57DpcZIuO43KFNyD2t2NR8mAE2uHUPOwR9XadSUTR2flajHzzmKa5tUuymwYEibHwnjgm1jbTpvZ9TEz_ATYOvaWjUBLktf16eg/s1600/Lemon+Leaves+in+the+Sun.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534356443607491346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42PeYwNGDVtygIo6mB4xCOhO6Nejoh0oawZ0OVChx57DpcZIuO43KFNyD2t2NR8mAE2uHUPOwR9XadSUTR2flajHzzmKa5tUuymwYEibHwnjgm1jbTpvZ9TEz_ATYOvaWjUBLktf16eg/s400/Lemon+Leaves+in+the+Sun.JPG" /></a><br /><div> </div><div>Unfortunately they can't bear the winters here in the metroplex so they get wintered inside. This makes the leaves a little less tolarant to the heat they can experience in the hot summers.</div><div>I hadn't watered the lemon tree in about a week and the leaves started to curl. You can see some of the leaves have brown spots on them which happened when it got put back out for the first time this summer. The leaves curled more easily and the undersides burned in the sun.</div><div>Doing much better now.</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdVSN3tGyV191IQk7IK9Frj9a39A-TbVg-GfYxdNM4UQD4aCtHducpiugFJG9xK_PZNE5-FZU9Kba7JOtVm7DuFW7oHoRjjI-g8lXjLUBhgb70toYiTRg_llVz-Xxt7_d3_Ti6ZZ_ync/s1600/Lemon+Leaves+Curled.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534356435909505186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdVSN3tGyV191IQk7IK9Frj9a39A-TbVg-GfYxdNM4UQD4aCtHducpiugFJG9xK_PZNE5-FZU9Kba7JOtVm7DuFW7oHoRjjI-g8lXjLUBhgb70toYiTRg_llVz-Xxt7_d3_Ti6ZZ_ync/s400/Lemon+Leaves+Curled.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-6310558184098961692010-09-12T20:01:00.001-07:002010-09-12T20:13:43.470-07:00Lemon and Kaffir Lime TreesIf you look at the Gardener's Watch blog (<a href="http://gardentimeline.blogspot.com/">http://gardentimeline.blogspot.com</a>) you can see this little tree from it's beginnings. It was the only one out of three in this same pot that sprouted. Now it's thigh high. You can see several places where I have already taken som leaves to use in cooking. I prefer the shredded method. The leaves aren't that tough especially when they've cooked down a little. I believe I will need to get another one started soon though if I want any fruit. I'm not sure if it will cross with the other citrus in the area very well but it might. It would be nice to be able to propagate them though without having to find more seeds or plants.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRU-hP-019xCtnhvuWLhBNxzNbtb8FjOf4GILRlHV1LTJVm5OyH3N8j7KBzcjWvriXsSAaIvwLH43qiQekZ32gHb5-ky_ceoGF0hsj-QCxj1j52h_g1GXc6yByw3YaFRA839ZVwkB8cVQ/s1600/Kaffir+Lime+Tree.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516228517400488850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRU-hP-019xCtnhvuWLhBNxzNbtb8FjOf4GILRlHV1LTJVm5OyH3N8j7KBzcjWvriXsSAaIvwLH43qiQekZ32gHb5-ky_ceoGF0hsj-QCxj1j52h_g1GXc6yByw3YaFRA839ZVwkB8cVQ/s400/Kaffir+Lime+Tree.JPG" /></a><br /><div> </div><div>My oldest, a lemon tree, sits in the back yard at the moment near the onion bed. It needs a little more sun and water than it has been getting so I might have to move it up front where the kaffir lime sits. There are other citrus plants in the area in other yards so there shouldn't be any problem with fruiting once it starts to flower.</div><div>I'll probably need to repot it soon so it has more room to grow. I hope to keep it 6-8 feet tall unless I get around to building a large greenhouse. Then who knows how big it may get.</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_HERO7rcL8KzHTM8CR1CqljIhTvQaIx8GckZONX5F8narSqIe2JNP4EsyYnqo-zn_q9DGmhZqg28H6mgYaCZoe6qN1V9hbVHkIyTM10skK5c1ilrertBH5RwZAX7nNO6O0zP4SrcOvM/s1600/Lemon+Tree.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516228514004962642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_HERO7rcL8KzHTM8CR1CqljIhTvQaIx8GckZONX5F8narSqIe2JNP4EsyYnqo-zn_q9DGmhZqg28H6mgYaCZoe6qN1V9hbVHkIyTM10skK5c1ilrertBH5RwZAX7nNO6O0zP4SrcOvM/s400/Lemon+Tree.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372998018985310139.post-69717534362433118862010-09-12T00:36:00.000-07:002010-09-12T00:44:07.508-07:00Being a CitraphileMy love of citrus started in my teens when my Stepdad would take a lemon and eat it with a little salt. After I grew up and got married I continued with my planting obsession and took my first lemon seed from a wedge served to me with my glass of water.<br />That seed sprouted and grew into a little tree. It lasted three years until I tried to get it to acclimate to the climate on the balcony while living in an apartment. After that I realized that it was relatively easy to sprout citrus seeds. Now I have one lemon tree, about 8 years old, 1 kaffir lime tree in it's first year and a struggling little key lime tree that I really need to put in a bigger pot. There were several others but I left them out and they got snowed on.<br />I need to plant more varieties but just haven't gotten around to it yet. Buda's hand it one of the more exotic varieties that I have recently found is supposed to be good candied, Iron Chef episode.<br />I figure it's about time to dedicate an entire blog to the growing of citrus and the love of using it in cooking.Jacob Royerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14103073402661183447noreply@blogger.com0