Loquat

This was my third run-in with Loquats. However, this was the first time that I experienced their true flavor profile and felt they were worth writing about. Typically harvested too early due to their extremely fragile nature, the ones that I have tried in the past have not been representative of their real taste. Additionally, they are normally overpriced. With the fact that they are grown in backyards all over Southern California it's weird that I have never tasted a good one, but these were a different story. I found these at a Persian market in South Orange County and they were obviously from a local backyard orchard. Additionally, these were affordable at about $4 per pound and sold in prepacked clam shell boxes. The taste is similar to an apricot, apple and orange blend, and had the consistency of an apricot with a thick skin that I decided to remove. They were light and refreshing. Found at Crown Valley Market Mission Viejo, CA. Photo by Chris Mathews.