As many of you know I grew up in Florida, and by the time mid-winter rolls around here in Chicago I am in desperate need of sunshine, liquid or otherwise. A post on Iris' blog reminded me of a juice that I recently found which is as close to fresh-squeezed as you can get. Yes, squeezing it yourself is always best, but oh, the sticky-up-to-the-elbows mess, and in the midst of this crazy life who has the time?
When I lived in Florida, and on my mid-winter trips there I often visit(ed) a locally-owned grove where you can buy citrus straight from the trees...and you can also get the most amazingly fresh citrus juices bottled right there on the premises...I always buy too much. If you're lucky you might even be able to get soft-serve ice cream that has been sweetened and flavored with fresh orange juice. Oh I miss those road-side packing houses!
Last month at my local Trader Joe's I spied a shelf in the refrigerated section upon which sat the familiar packing house in-plant-juicing bottles I had grown to know so well. They had orange and grapefruit juices, so I picked one of each. Carrying them home I was still a bit skeptical that the juice inside could be as good as the juice fresh from the grove (store bought never is), but I had to give it a chance.
Well, I'm happy to report that I was thrilled when I took my first sip and was immediately transported home (Florida home, not Chicago home). Oh the goodness! I have to say that I will be doing my part to be sure that TJ's continues to carry this stuff!
Thank you Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company for bottling the sunshine and sending it north, and thank you too Trader Joe's for making it so easy for me to find.
Oh, and another thing about Orchid Island Juice Co., how can you not love a company whose toll free number is:
Awesome!
-c
