California-grown Keitt mangos making a comeback
California-grown Keitt mangos making a comeback
La Quinta, CA-based Ag Accounting LLC is rebounding with its California- grown Keitt mangos following a disastrous year with the fruit in 2007 when January freezes wiped out 50 acres of the variety.
"We had 30,000 cartons [of Keitt]" in 2007, said Ted Johnson, chief operating officer of Ag Accounting. This year, Ag Accounting should have in excess of 250,000 cartons of conventional and organic Keitt mangos, he said.
Ag Accounting, which despite its name is all about farming and not accounting, is the only company growing Keitts in California on a large commercial scale, Mr. Johnson said.
Ag Accounting introduced Keitts to the market in 1996. In 2006, both the organic and conventional crop sold out entirely.
The company's harvest of its organic and conventional Keitt mangos will start Aug. 18 or Aug. 25 and run through early October. Known for their rich, sweet flavor and smooth texture, Keitts from Ag Accounting come in sizes 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, with some 9s and 10s.
"The crop looks outstanding," Mr. Johnson said, adding that a Keitt mango is a "fabulous eating piece of fruit."
Some of his Keitt mangos will grow to be more than three pounds, Mr. Johnson said.
Ag Accounting sells to major retail chains throughout the United States and exports primarily to Japan. The company also grows citrus, table grapes and dates in the Coachella Valley, where all of its fields are located.
California-grown Keitt mangos are not treated with hot water, so their flavor is not compromised and they have a longer shelf life than treated mangos. These mangos have a smaller pit and don't have fibrous strings. Unlike other mangos, a ripe California-grown Keitt mango is green with a touch of red on the outside and a rich, deep apricot color inside.
"We had 30,000 cartons [of Keitt]" in 2007, said Ted Johnson, chief operating officer of Ag Accounting. This year, Ag Accounting should have in excess of 250,000 cartons of conventional and organic Keitt mangos, he said.
Ag Accounting, which despite its name is all about farming and not accounting, is the only company growing Keitts in California on a large commercial scale, Mr. Johnson said.
Ag Accounting introduced Keitts to the market in 1996. In 2006, both the organic and conventional crop sold out entirely.
The company's harvest of its organic and conventional Keitt mangos will start Aug. 18 or Aug. 25 and run through early October. Known for their rich, sweet flavor and smooth texture, Keitts from Ag Accounting come in sizes 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, with some 9s and 10s.
"The crop looks outstanding," Mr. Johnson said, adding that a Keitt mango is a "fabulous eating piece of fruit."
Some of his Keitt mangos will grow to be more than three pounds, Mr. Johnson said.
Ag Accounting sells to major retail chains throughout the United States and exports primarily to Japan. The company also grows citrus, table grapes and dates in the Coachella Valley, where all of its fields are located.
California-grown Keitt mangos are not treated with hot water, so their flavor is not compromised and they have a longer shelf life than treated mangos. These mangos have a smaller pit and don't have fibrous strings. Unlike other mangos, a ripe California-grown Keitt mango is green with a touch of red on the outside and a rich, deep apricot color inside.
