March Fruit 2026
NEW SEASON! ORGANIC SWEET KAROLINE® BLACKBERRIES
“Good times never seemed so good,” so get ready for the kickoff of Sweet Karoline® Blackberry season later this month. Good things truly do come in small packages. Sweet Karoline® Blackberries are smaller and firmer than most blackberries, yet noticeably sweeter. Did you know blackberries are among the most nutrient-dense plants on the planet and are one of the best berry sources of calcium, which supports bone health and osteoporosis prevention*? Blackberries also contain compounds that may help reduce the incidence of kidney stones and support cognition, motor coordination, and healthy aging.
Trivia factoid: There was once a PDA called a “BlackBerry,” named because its small “QWERTY” keyboard resembled blackberry seeds.
Select Sweet Karoline® Blackberries that are shiny, plump, and evenly dark in color, with no signs of mold between the arils or at the stem end. Store unwashed berries in their original container or in a single layer, loosely covered. Moisture accelerates spoilage. Wash and dry in a single layer on paper towels just before serving or freezing. Delicious on their own as a healthy snack, they also pair beautifully with white fish, rich meats, melons, crisp greens, quinoa, and Israeli couscous. Make a refreshing shrub or a luscious blackberry syrup for yogurt or ice cream. Available March through June. Product of Mexico.
*Per “Melissa’s 50 Best Plants on the Planet,” available online at www.melissas.com.
NEW SEASON! OJAI PIXIE TANGERINES
It’s that time of year for everyone’s favorite citrus. Sweet, juicy, easy-to-peel, and fragrant, Ojai Pixie® Tangerines are back. Perfect for lunchboxes, these seedless beauties peel effortlessly and can be eaten in just a few bites, though many prefer to juice them. Pixies are a hybrid developed in the early 1920s at the UC Riverside Citrus Research Center and are known as a late-season citrus with exceptional sweetness and a hint of tartness for balance.
Ojai Pixies often boast deeper flavor, likely due to the region’s unique east-west valley terroir, one of only two in the nation. Enjoy them fresh, add them to leafy or fruit salads with a tangerine-zest vinaigrette, pair with root vegetables or seafood, or use in marinades, sorbets, baked goods, or vinaigrettes. For a true treat, dip sections into freshly melted Melissa’s Belgian Chocolate.
Select a fruit that feels heavy for its size with a slight give when gently squeezed. Store at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 12 days. Available through May. California-grown.
NEW! MELISSA’S BELGIAN MELTING CHOCOLATE
Yes, chocolate is a fruit, and a luscious one at that. Enjoyed in moderation, chocolate provides antioxidants and essential minerals, including calcium. Melissa’s Milk Chocolate Melting Discs arrive just in time for spring snacking and Easter treats. Perfect for dipping baby bananas, strawberries, dried apricots, apples, and kiwi berries.
Free of palm oil and hardening agents, this chocolate melts smoothly yet firms quickly, making it ideal for grazing boards, baking, desserts, beverages, and snacking. Store in a cool pantry, not the refrigerator. Best of all, every package supports the Cocoa Horizons Foundation, which promotes sustainable farming and protects children and nature. Available year-round. Product of Belgium.
PLANT-BASED PROTEIN AND SNACKING FAVORITES
More protein is trending, and it does not have to be animal-based. Melissa’s offers a variety of plant-based, protein- and fiber-rich snacks, many USDA Certified Organic, to help keep you satisfied throughout the day.
Organic Snax™ Endurance Trail Mix: A Melissa’s team favorite, packed with raisins, dates, dried apples, peanuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. Enjoy as-is, bake into cookies or brownies, sprinkle onto salads, or drizzle with melted Belgian chocolate and break into snackable shards. Available year-round. Product of USA.
Organic Chestnut Snax™: Chestnuts are the highest in protein and lowest in fat of all tree nuts. Portable and resealable, they are great for gym bags or travel. Chop and add to vegetables, sweet potato hash, or quick breads, or dip into melted Belgian chocolate for an indulgent bite. Available year-round. Product of France.
PROTEIN-RICH FRUITS
Tropical Avocados: Creamy, buttery, and subtly nutty, Tropical Avocados hold their shape beautifully for slicing, rosettes, and garnishes. Cholesterol-free, low in sodium, high in fiber, and providing about 3 grams of protein per fruit, they are a versatile and nourishing choice. Available year-round. Product of USA.
Kiwifruit: Named after New Zealand’s beloved bird, the kiwifruit originated in China and was once called Chinese Gooseberry. Sweet with a gentle tang, kiwifruit provides fiber, protein, vitamins C and K, folate, potassium, and digestive enzymes. Enjoy in salads, with seafood, in yogurt, or atop crostini with soft cheese. Available year-round, barring Mother Nature’s ire. Product of USA or New Zealand.
Jackfruit: The largest tree fruit in the world, jackfruit, is low in fat, high in fiber, and provides protein in both flesh and seeds. The chewy flesh can be eaten fresh or cooked as a plant-based meat alternative, while cooked seeds are delicious grilled, seasoned, or added to soups and stews. Available now through November. Product of Mexico.
COLADA ROYALE™ PINEAPPLES
Sweet, lower in acid, and subtly coconut-forward, Colada Royale™ Pineapples are perfectly sized for two or a solo indulgence. Enjoy fresh, grilled, baked into desserts, folded into salsas, or broiled with butter and rum-spiked whipped cream. Available year-round. Grown in Honduras.
