Last Chance for Fresh Florida Citrus

D & L Grove Stand

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I did a taste test of the varieties of Florida-grown citrus a few years ago and discovered that for juice the Valencia is king. There’s nothing sweeter and more refreshing than a glass of chilled orange juice squeezed from the Valencia orange—and March is when the harvest begins. So this weekend I plan to buy a bushel at the D&L Groves fruit stand off Interstate 95 at exit 298 St. Augustine (turn east and the stand’s on the north side of the highway). During  a stop there at peak season, December to February, David Holman, who runs the stand, happily gave me the lowdown on his citrus offerings, which dwindle by July and start to reappear in September. Honeybells and Navels were plentiful, but are now on the way out. Tasty pink grapefruits were and still are in stock, but he told me March is when the Valencia oranges arrive. Since he has trees too—Valencia, Meyer lemon, Persian lime—I plan to buy an orange tree and hopefully harvest a crop in my own backyard. (Wish me luck!) His ¼ bushels go for $10.95 and ½ bushels are $17.95. Trees are $16.99 or two for $32. And oh yes, you can also get praline pecans, tropical jellies and that funky souvenir gator head. floridajuice.com

Tags: Florida citrus | florida juice | oranges | produce