Michele Jordan

Dec 13, 2024 | sonomamag.com | Michele Jordan |Ana Fingerson

Olio nuovo (“new oil” in Italian) is the olive oil bottled and released immediately after the annual harvest, before the oil begins to mellow. With a bright, lean, freshness, olio nuovo can range from robust to more mellow in flavor. The strongest are often described jokingly as “two-cough” selections, with a peppery bite that is highly prized. Sonoma County’s olive harvest kicked off early this year, with the first of the season’s olives heading to the mill in early October.

Nov 21, 2024 | sonomamag.com | Michele Jordan |Maci Martell

Where would we be at the holidays without cranberries? The Thanksgiving relish, the hand-strung garlands and even the berry’s bright, tangy aroma evoke the magic of the season. While much of the nation’s crop is processed into juice, sauce or dried cranberries, some fresh cranberries are available in local farmers markets from late October through December. Rumors once suggested a possible Sonoma County connection to the founding of a West Coast cranberry industry.

Oct 21, 2024 | sonomamag.com | Michele Jordan |Maci Martell

Pluck a fat grape from its cluster, pop it into your mouth, and bite down gently — the sweet, smooth juiciness is the taste of early fall. Thin-skinned table grapes, in contrast to their thicker-skinned winemaking cousins, offer bright acidity, few if any seeds, and enchanting names like Perlette, Princess and Flame. Colors range from rosy pink to icy green to deep blue-black. Table grapes are wonderful on pizza and other flatbreads. And have you ever tried grilling them?

Jul 15, 2024 | sonomamag.com | Michele Jordan |Maci Martell

It’s the summer of berries: Black raspberries, purple raspberries and the dearest ones of all, golden raspberries, sunshine yellow with a just hint of blush. Golden raspberries are delicate with a bit more sweetness than their more familiar red cousins. They have the shortest season, too; when late summer and early fall temperatures soar, golden raspberries quickly fade away. Find them at farmers markets and produce stands, including Petaluma’s Stony Point Strawberry Farm.

Jul 12, 2024 | webmd.com | Zilpah Sheikh |Michele Jordan

Melasma is a skin condition with brown, blue, or freckle spots that form what is often called “the mask of pregnancy.” It’s a dark, mask-like mark that is common, painless, and typically goes away after a few months. This doesn’t mean it’s not bothersome while there. Melasma vs. hyperpigmentation Your skin cells make a substance called melanin, which gives it its color. The darker your skin (or the easier you tan), the more melanin you have.