Costco Connection - July 2005

Peak time for Rainier cherries
By Mark E. Stroder

SUMMER RIDDLE: What has radiant bright peach-tree buds to freeze to death, the young yellow skin, blushing cheeks and an incompara- scientist turned his expert attention to a differ-ble yummy taste, but an all-too-short life span? ent fruit: the appetizing cherry.

Answer: Rainier cherries. With their Fogle crossed two red cherry unique look and flavor, Rainier cherries may varieties, Bing and Van, and came be the prettiest and sweetest fruit in the up with a yellow cherry that took orchard. But they’re available only from June on a red blush as it matured. to mid-August. Growers soon discovered that the

“Their season is far too short, but they Rainier not only had wonderful fla-are so delicious, they are definitely worth the vor and texture, it also grew plumper wait,” says Costco buyer Sharlene Taylor. and sweeter than its red cousins did.

Named for majestic Mount Rainier in Rainier cherries typically contain about

Washington state, where they were devel- 30 percent more sugar than traditional dark

NORTHWEST CHERRY GROWERS oped, the cherries are grown in the fertile cherries. But the Rainiers at Costco take the orchards east of the peak. Washington is the flavor to an even higher level. Costco growers Rainier cherries are renowned for their largest cherry-producing state in the nation, selectively pick each tree bearing this highly plump size and sweet taste. andhasbecomefamousworldwideforgrow- sensitive fruit up to four and five times ing some of the biggest—and sweetest— throughoutthe season.

Rainiers in the world. The sugar level naturally gets higher as Rainiers are a tantalizing treat, but their Like many great discoveries, the Rainier the season progresses, making the ripe Rainier healthy attributes make them a guilt-free was born out of a little luck, and, in this case, a special treat. In fact, there is some brown pleasure. They are a good source of fiber and a timely assist from Mother Nature. discoloration that can initially look like a bruise vitamin C, are low in fat and sodium-free, and In1949, Washington State Universityhired mark on the tender Rainier skin, but it is contain no cholesterol.

Dr. Harold Fogle to breed new peach varieties. actually an accumulation of the sugar solids “They’re Mother Nature’s special treat to But when the great freeze of ’49 caused the that make the cherry so delicious. all of us,” Sharlene says. C

Kirkland Signature bacon sandwich or crumble it in a salad or a baked potato. adds sizzle to every day Precooked bacon is also economical. Its shelf life is much longer than traditional bacon’s. So, you can grab a few WHEN I THINK of eating bacon while I was cooked bacon makes it slices at a time and not worry about growing up, pleasant memories—Saturday a snap to work bacon having to cook the remainder of the mornings, the distinct bacon aroma that into menus every day of package before it spoils. filled the kitchen, the great taste—are bal- the week. “Precooked bacon has helped anced by memories of scrubbing lots and lots “Bacon isn’t just for transform this onetime breakfast of grease from a heavy cast-iron frying pan. breakfast anymore,” says meat into a go-with-any-meal, seven-day-a-Today, there’s Kirkland Signature™ pre- Sarah. “It’s so simple with week sensation,” Sarah says.—MES cooked bacon by Hormel—hot and ready to sandwiches, burgers and salads. It’s a quick eat after just a few seconds in the sourceofgreat-tastingprotein.” ^{microwave—providing} ^that ^great ^bacon ^{fla- Members} ^will ^note ^that ^{Kirkland Signature}_vor _and _{aroma, but} _without _all _the _{prepara- precooked} _bacon _is _noticeably _{thick-sliced,}tion and cleanup time. Costco food buyer especially when compared to the bacon sold bacon Sarah George says Kirkland Signature pre- by many retail competitors. Sarah says Costco chose thicker bacon because thinner slices found elsewhere can be overcooked “Our bacon has the same taste as traditional bacon,” she says. “The only difference is that it’s been precooked. “Traditional precooked bacon is usually used in a deli on a sandwich,” Sarah continues. “Our precooked bacon is designed to be served next to scrambled eggs or pancakes as a traditional breakfast meat. It’s ideal for breakfast, a quick BLT or adding to your favorite hamburger.” Bacon has become such a versatile food companion that you may prefer to take Kirkland Signature precooked bacon out of the package cold and include it in a turkey