Produce Department

Fresh Produce

Culinaria means FRESH produce. From crisp, green lettuce to vibrant red strawberries, you will always find the highest-quality fresh produce each and every time you walk through our front door. The quality of produce at our stores is simply second to none. Our produce buyers maintain relationships with our growers both local and around the world to offer the highest quality fruits and vegetables year-round guaranteeing the best of the best.

Culineria offers your favorite fruits and vegetables with more than 400 items to choose from, including organics. We are sure you will find just what you are looking for.. And more!

Stop in today to see what a difference “fresh” makes.

The Pomegranate

The pomegranate….discover its crimson treasures inside. Pop a few seeds in your mouth and savor the tangy sweet juice erupting in your mouth. The fruit has been adored since the beginning of time; the pomegranate is believed to have tempted Adam, not the ubiquitous apple. This is understandable as the fruit originates from central Asia, probably Persia. Symbolizing eternal life, fertility, hope and prosperity, pomegranates were buried with the kings and queens of Ancient Egypt and reportedly grown in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Historically grown in the Middle East, Mediterranean region, Russia and Northern India, pomegranates were transported to Mexico and California by Spanish missionaries in the 16th century where their climates have proven conducive for optimal growth. Pomegranates grow as budding shrubs up to 20 feet tall. Unfortunately, we can only enjoy this delicacy from October through early January.

Look for large, shiny, unblemished dark-red pomegranates that feel heavy for their size. Store them in the refrigerator up to 2 months, or freeze their seeds for later use. In international markets, you will find pomegranate molasses and dried seeds that add a tart-sweet element to savory foods. Other pomegranate products include grenadine, a fantastic pomegranate liqueur, and of course, pomegranate juices, tea blends, and sodas.

To open a pomegranate, slice off the crown end to reveal the pomegranate seeds inside. Slice skin-deep down each of the five white membranes that appear inside the pomegranate. Gently pry the pomegranate apart. It will fan out into sections, and the seeds will easily pop out.

Hailed as a “superfruit” because of their high level of antioxidants, pomegranates may help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, and inhibit the development of cancer.

An Apple A Day...

The symbol of good health, now’s the perfect time to stock up on seasonal sweet and crisp, freshly-picked Washington apples. With so many varieties in season now, each possessing its own unique texture, color and flavor characteristics, you can enjoy a new Washington apple every day and never get bored.

For a great all-purpose apple, look no further than the snappy, aromatic Gala. Choose sweet-tart Granny Smith or mellow, crisp Golden Delicious when you’re looking for an apple that keeps its shape during baking, produces a perfect applesauce and freezes well. For an all-around great-eating apple, pick up the refreshing Honeycrisp™, super-sweet Fuji or heart-shaped Red Delicious.

Two exceptional varieties cultivated only within the past 50 years include the juicy blushed Jonagold apple and the spicy-sweet Braeburn, another apple that shines raw in salads or baked in desserts. Look for more varieties in stores soon including the versatile and mild Cameo®, Pink Lady® apples that resist browning after slicing and deep-red, Rome apples praised for their long shelf life and pleasantly-tangy flavor.

Washington State produces about three times as many apples as its nearest competitor, New York, and about half of all apples in the U.S. Why? Thanks to lush fertile valleys and plentiful sunshine, pioneers dating back to the early 19th century recognized the plateau near the foothills of central Washington’s Cascade Mountains would offer ideal growing conditions. Some commercial apple farms have existed over 120 years in this region thanks to innovative irrigation, breeding and growing techniques.

Apples keep well in the refrigerator, but it’s best to store them in their own plastic produce bag—they’ll keep up to a month. When you want to pre-slice, grate or peel your apples, to prevent browning, toss them with some fresh lemon juice or a solution prepared with one part fresh lemon juice to three parts water.