April is Pixie Tangerine Month in Ojai… We take pride in our wee citrus and this month it shows!

According to the Ojai Pixie Tangerine website, “The Pixie tangerine was developed by Howard B. Frost at the University of California Citrus Research Center at Riverside in 1927. The Pixie is a result of open pollination of Kincy mandarins (Kincy is a hybrid between a King Mandarin and a Dancy Tangerine).”

Pixie Tangerines were first released in the mid-1960s by breeders from University of California-Riverside. They are a late-season variety that ripen in March and April. Pixies are pale orange colored, about 1-3 inches in diameter, and always seedless.

Even after the devastating Thomas Fire, bouts of heavy rain and mud, winter-turned-summer-turned-winter weather, more rain, and then the Asian Citrus Psyllid pesters, everything is back on track for a wonderfully “fruitful” tangerine season!

Currently, the Ojai Valley is home to 52 small-scale family farmers that grow total of about 25, 000 tangerine trees. We make up less than one percent of the California tangerine crop, but Pixies are still available in grocery stores nation-wide.

Except no imitations! Ojai Pixies are not Cuties, Halos, Sweeties, Delites or Smiles.

Be sure to check out www.ojaipixies.com for everything you have ever wanted to know about our favorite tangerine!

Here are some locations in Ojai to purchase Pixie Tangerines:

• Westridge Market located at 131 West Ojai Avenue, or Westridge Midtown at 802 East Ojai Avenue
• The Ojai Certified Farmer’s Market on Matilija Street, behind the Arcade, every Sunday from 9:00am to 1:00pm
• Or purchase directly from the Farm at Friend’s Ranch on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 7:00am to 12:00pm. They are located at 15150 Maricopa Highway, or call 805-646-2871

Once you bring your Pixies home, make a lovely fully-tangerined dinner for 4:

Roasted Chicken Breast with Pixie Tangerine, Lavender Honey and Chipotle Glaze
Asparagus and Crab Salad with Pixie Tangerine Dressing
Tangerine Mint Spritzer