After a recent partnership with Flavor Tree Fruit, SunnyGem is entering into a new category that will start just before Thanksgiving. In addition to offering pomegranate arils, they have also added pomegranate juice (not from concentrate) to their offering. Pomegranate harvest will be finished in about a week’s time.
High brix levels
The pomegranates are grown in Kern County and Kings County; Flavor Tree Fruit Company represents one grower with large acreage in the two areas. Maurice Cameron says the crop is a little bit lighter this year but there will still be plenty of arils – sweet ones too. “The brix level is really high this year compared to last year,” he says. “The aril color is beautiful – it’s a dark red and the brix is between 18-20. It should be a very nice tasting product.”
The outside skin colour of the pomegranate crop was lighter so harvest was held off a bit. “The climate has a big effect – we waited a little bit longer to pick so it got the internal colour and brix. We didn’t rush it.”
Products are currently distributed across the US and Canada. Cameron says they may decide to do imports but that’s yet to be decided after seeing how the California program goes. “We’ll go through spring on the California product. We should be strong for Thanksgiving and for the Christmas holiday.”
For more information:
Maurice E. Cameron
The Flavor Tree Fruit Company, LLC
Ph: (559) 584-8888