<p><strong>VISALIA, CA</strong> - Kiwifruit is getting better with age this season as Shanley Farms holds out for an even juicier and sweeter fruit. The grower-shipper is bringing its late season Sierra Sweet Kiwis to the market strait from the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The kiwifruit is packed by Venida Packing in Exeter, CA. This specific fruit is unique because Shanley Farms has held them on the vine eight weeks longer than what standard California tradition calls for.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The minimum legal sugar level, also known as brix, for harvesting kiwifruit in California is 6.2. A majority of the fruit is harvested in the 6.2 to low 7 brix. Sierra Sweet Kiwis are harvested with sugar levels between 11.5 and 12.5 points with an additional 4-7 points to be accumulated between harvest and optimal ripeness. This level allows for stable storability into the late season. Jim Shanley states, “Over the years, people have gotten away from eating kiwis due to a lack of optimal flavor." Mr. Shanley continues, "“In fact, we only eat the kiwis that the pickers missed six weeks after the commercial harvest. We are now trying to bring that flavor back to the consumer.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>www.shanleyfarms.com</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
