Sonora happens to be the 2nd largest states in Mexico. Because of it’s size and terrain it is a very diverse state. It has in some area the feel of the old west whereas in others it is filled with modern development and condos such as Puerto Peñasco. The best description of the region would be to compare it to the bread basket of Central California from Bakersfield to Mendocino and every place in between. With regards to the meats and foul grown it is much like parts of Texas and Arizona. Here, as you drive through Sonora, you will see cowboy’s working the cattle ranches while other workers are picking crops.
Let’s start with the region of Caborca which is located only 90 miles from Puerto Peñasco. It is probably best known for it asparagus and olives which are internationally shipped. Here in Rocky Point in winter and spring we get an abundance of asparagus that is sold on the street corners and in the fish market and it is wonderful. A kilo will cost you about $1.50 USD. This area is known for its grapes, snow peas, oranges, fig, dates, pecans (10% of over 76.000 tons in Mexico) and other nuts as well as hay. If you do a day trip to Caborca in the winter months, you can find the oranges being sold everywhere and that holds true in Puerto Peñasco. You will also find vendors selling pecans and peanuts all over. At Christmas time you will find truck loads of corn which come from the Obregon area and these are used in the making of Tamales. Do not confuse it with sweet corn as it is not.
Years ago as you drove to Caborca and Pitiquito, there were several distilleries on the highway. They are now long gone sadly. The grapes are shipped to the Mexico City for distilling into brandy and the Thompson seedless grapes are either dried for raisins or packaged as grapes for eating. In the Caborca region there are DOLE processing plants for the asparagus and raisins and it that is fun to stop and visit them. If you do go to Pitiquito, please stop in and visit the leather factory to find some stunning hand made leather purses, jackets and vests.
In Puerto Peñasco, we are of course known for our shrimp, manta ray, squid, crab, snapper and other fish. Much of our shrimp and crab are exported as well. Generally speaking Mexico does a huge exportation business with the United States, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Russia, Korea, Canada, Singapore, New Zealand and China.
In Hermosillo, the capital of Sonora you will find that they are know for the beef, pork and Chicken. Bachoco is the largest grower of chicken in Mexico and it exports a lot of it to Tyson Foods in the United States. Bachoco also grows Turkeys here and in this area is where you will find the egg farms. In Mexico you will find many stores do not refrigerate the eggs and one of the reasons is that they sell them so fast. Remember that once they are refrigerated you can not let them sit out. Sonoran Beef is without a doubt some of the best beef anywhere. It is not injected with a lot of hormones thus you don’t always have a lot of marbling in it. It is however, full of flavor and tender. We have a meat market here in in Rocky Point called JC’s and here you will find briskets, beautiful choice or select steaks, roasts and they will grind your hamburger your way. They will also cut steaks to your size except for the filet (which you need to buy the whole filet) and then if you want they will cut it. One of the largest and most popular beef producers is a company called Rancho El 17. The company started in 1991 and are based out of Hermosillo. In 2004 they started exporting their choice, prime and natural beef to Asian countries. They are known for their well marbled tender steaks and you can actually order online and have them shipped to Rocky Point. They offer everything from New York, Filet, Rib Eye, Prime rib, Hamburger, Carne Asada, Arrachera and even dried Machaca and Carne Asada.
The next largest growing region would be Obregon which is located approximately 3 hours from Hermosillo. This is the heart of the growing region in Sonora. Here you will find Broccoli, Squash, Pumpkin, Scallions, Chilis, Cauliflower, Watermelon, Cucumber, Radish, Cabbage, Tomatoes, Cantaloupe, Honey Dew along with Wheat, Cotton and Corn. As you take some of the back roads you will see the fields growing full of crops.
In this region is also where you will find Bacanora the drink of Sonora. Please read the blog Bacanora vs. Tequila parts 1 and 2 to learn more.
Come out and join the fun while enjoying the beautiful weather in Puerto Peñasco and the stunning Sea of Cortez views. Remember Rocky Point is only a 4 hour drive from Phoenix or Tucson.
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