Pitchin' In Season 1 Episode 11 Oranges

In season 1, episode 11 of Pitchin' In, titled "Oranges," host Lynn Crawford heads down to Winter Garden, Florida to learn about the citrus industry. This small town, located just outside of Orlando, is home to several orange groves and is known for its production of fresh-squeezed orange juice.

Lynn begins her journey at the Showcase of Citrus, a family-owned and operated citrus farm that offers tours and allows visitors to pick their own fruit. She meets with John Arnold, the owner, who takes her on a tour of the property and explains the different varieties of oranges they grow. Lynn is surprised to learn that there are over 400 different types of oranges, each with their own unique flavor and characteristics. She also learns about the process of growing, picking, and packing the fruit.

Next, Lynn travels to the OJ Purity Company, a factory that produces fresh-squeezed orange juice. She meets with the owner, Mike Delfino, who shows her how the juice is made. She watches as oranges are cleaned, sorted, and then squeezed with large machines. Lynn notes that the machines are able to extract every last drop of juice, leaving only the pulp behind. Mike explains that the factory produces 150,000 gallons of juice per week and that the juice is sold in grocery stores throughout Florida.

After visiting the factory, Lynn heads to the Plant Street Market in downtown Winter Garden. This indoor market is home to several vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, and other artisanal products. Lynn meets with Kenny and his wife, the owners of Greenery Creamery, an ice cream shop that specializes in unique flavors, like beet and goat cheese. They've developed a new flavor using fresh-squeezed orange juice and ask Lynn to help them perfect it. Lynn tastes the ice cream and helps them adjust the ratio of orange juice to cream for the perfect balance of flavors.

Lastly, Lynn meets with Chef Jamie McFadden, the owner of Cuisiniers Catering, a local catering company. Jamie uses fresh, local ingredients in his dishes and Lynn is excited to see how he incorporates oranges into his menu. She helps him prepare a dish of seared scallops with a citrus glaze and orange and fennel salad. Jamie explains that citrus is a staple ingredient in Florida cuisine and that it pairs well with seafood.

Throughout the episode, Lynn learns about the importance of the citrus industry to the local economy and gets a taste of the many ways oranges are used in cooking and baking. She also gains an appreciation for the hard work and dedication required to produce fresh-squeezed orange juice.