Braga Organic Farms

It has been awhile since we have written on this blog. To keep everyone updated we just finished pistachio harvest. Since our pistachios are organic, immediately after harvest the pistachios go to the huller then into cold storage (in freezers). The new crop won't be available for a couple weeks. Pistachio harvest is very cynclical in terms of output. If you have a down year this year then next your crop will be much bigger.

Braga Organic Farms is not involved in the pistachio recall.  It is a conventional (non-organic) pistachio recall.  All the information about Braga Organic Farms and the recall is on this link:

http://stores.buyorganicnuts.com/-strse-template/faq/Page.bok

We prefer people to comment on Local Harvest or email us with any questions you have.  We have been flocked with calls since 5 am.  Thank you for your time and interest in organics.

This is one of the hottest topics in organics in the past year or so.  I want to talk about almond pasteurization.  Organic almonds are only steam pasteurized, no chemicals are used in the process.  It involves shooting steam at the almonds for a few seconds.  The almonds are then allowed to dry back to room temperature.  The only problem with the steam pasteurization is that the skins become looser and some tend to falloff.  Therefore, they must be hand-sorted after pasteurization.  In my opinion, the taste is exactly the same (of course some people will disagree).  Our customers are very satisfied with the steam pasteurized almonds.  Also, USDA has allowed to term "raw almonds" to apply to pasteurized almonds.  It is important to ask if they are "truly raw" if you want unpasteurized almonds.  The Almond Board only allows customers to pick up organic truly raw almonds from the farmer.  The transaction must be done in person and limited to 100 lbs per person.  Currently, we do not sell truly raw organic almonds.  Lastly, I want to ask everyone to support our organic farmer.  California organic almonds are cheaper than Spanish almonds.  If you have any questions, please ask.  I would love to answer your questions!

With the Natural Food Expo coming up this weekend in Anaheim, CA, please contact us ASAP if you would like to take a tour of the farm before/after the show.  We would love to meet with you!

On another topic, the weather has been very strange.  We had a few days of rain and now it is the 60's.  Beautiful weather for the bees pollinating the almonds!  The almonds need bees to cross-pollinate the different varieties.  There are usually 4 different varieties of almonds in one field!  They bloom at various times to ensure a strong cross-pollination.  Thanks for reading!

                    

Let me first begin by introducing myself.  My name is Doug Braga.  I manage the internet business for Braga Organic Farms.  We have 40 acres of  certified organic pistachios in central California.  Please take a look at our Local Harvest store for more information.

Currently, we are in a severe drought in central California.  We are awaiting rain which is expected to come in the next few days.  The trees really need the rain!  We have been irrigating to keep the moisture levels up.  The picture below is from September when the pistachios were harvested and placed in bins!

We only have one dog left :(.  Wolfy, our older dog, has been lonely cause UPS (yes, he is named after the shipping company) left to join the coyotes.  Mike (owner and father) named him.  UPS came back for one day to eat some dog food and never returned.  We have seen him hang out with the coyotes.  This is a first for us!

Also, Mike and I will be at the Tulare World Ag Expo on February 10th!  It is only an hour away to go one of the largest ag shows in the world! We are going to look at equipment and new technology in agricultural.  I look forward to seeing some of you there!