Citrus briefs

• New product on the market -- "TrueLemon Crystalized Lemon Substitute" (also available in orange and lime) -- Link to story / Link to free sample

• Now is the best time of the year to plant citrus if you're living in one of the temperate or sub-tropical zones in the US. -- Link

• Local recommendations for the Santa Clara Valley (San Francisco Bay Area) -- what grows best -- Link

• Expanding urban development, the canker and greening epidemics, and a series of hurricanes all together have sent the Florida citrus industry into a spiral.

"Statewide, total citrus production fell to 162.05 million boxes in 2006-07, down from 287.3 million boxes five years earlier."

Brazil, now the world's largest citrus producing country, has taken up the slack. China and Mexico are increasing production. -- Link

• Sunkist did quite well in 2007 and 2008 ain't lookin' too bad either. -- Link