Welcome to John Vena Inc.
John Vena, Inc. is a family owned and operated produce business located in the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market. Dealing in high-end specialty items including fresh herbs, greenhouse vegetables, peppers, tomatoes, tropical fruits, and baby vegetables, our mission is to provide our customers with the highest quality products and service available. We consider our customers not only those who buy from us, but those who supply us as well.
Read more »Edible Flowers
Flowers have always been pleasing to the eye, but pleasing to the taste buds? More and more, edible flowers are becoming popular as a gourmet treat. Typically greenhouse grown for human consumption, edible flowers are very safe to eat. Chemical and pesticide free, edible flowers can add a sophisticated flair to any meal. Sprinkle edible flowers in salads, freeze whole small flowers into ice cubes for punches, or use a colorful blossom as a garnish for your favorite dip. Many varieties of annuals and certain varieties of orchid can be used to enhance any cuisine. Be sure to check a trusted food reference chart before experimenting, and be aware that asthmatics should avoid some flowers.
Read more »Heirloom Tomatoes
When you think of an heirloom, what comes to mind? A family possession that is handed down from generation to generation? Well, that's the story with heirloom tomatoes. These varieties have a depth of history since they were cultivated many years ago. New breeds of tomatoes were developed for easy handling, but they seemed to have lost their vibrant flavor. Not heirlooms. Their open-pollinated seeds produce a well textured and flavorful tomato in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes that will bring back memories of walking through grandma's garden. "Heirloom" varieties are often classified as those that were popular prior to 1950. In the past 60 years, many heirlooms were lost along with family farms and replaced by commercial hybrids which have attractive characteristics, but not the taste of heirlooms. In addition to their natural goodness, each heirloom tomato averages about 35 calories, is high in vitamins A and C and is low in cholesterol and fat. These heirlooms are worth treasuring!
Read more »Buddha's Hand
Buddha's Hand is a variety of citrus that traces its origin to northern India. It's name comes from the shape of the "fingers" of the fruit. It is thought to be the first citrus fruit introduced into Europe by the Greeks or Romans. The fruit can be described as lemon-like, with finger-like sections clustered around the stem end of the fruit. Buddha's Hand contains little flesh or juice and is seedless, but the white pith under the skin is not bitter and may be sliced along with the skin and incorporated into recipes. The whole fruit is very fragrant.
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