The frozen juice of fresh California Valencias launched a Sacramento tradition—the Merlino’s Freeze, created by an enterprising couple, Bauldie and Mary Merlino and their two sons.

The story started in 1946. The Merlinos served up their first freezes at this stand at the corner of Stockton Boulevard and Third Avenue in Sacramento. Today it remains the last of the company’s open-air stands. It’s such a part of history, even boasting such patrons as former President Ronald Reagan, who’d occasionally stop by when he was governor. He obviously knew a tasty way to beat the oppressive Sacramento heat.

We caught up with freeze founder Bauldie Merlino at his fourth and largest store, which opened in 1994. Well into his 90’s Bauldie hasn’t lost his touch, still insisting that out of his four staple flavors—strawberry, lemon, orange and pineapple-- orange is his favorite.

I admitted to Bauldie that I have a passion for lemon! However, orange does outsell all of the other flavors combined. In the summer months Merlinos goes through more than 10 tons of California oranges a week!

The Merlinos, including grandson Roy, have perfected methods for freezing the juice. In the old days they used ice and rock salt and the product was slushier. Their three-year-old production facility changed that in a big way.

"The big tanks we have hold 6,500 gallons of liquid sugar and refrigerated fresh-squeezed orange juice. How they freeze the juice to just the right consistency is Merlino’s own little secret.

Occasionally Merlino’s tries a flavor that just doesn’t work. "One I can think of off hand is banana. It was terrible. There’s just no juice in bananas," said Roy.

One thing the company does expect to be successful is its new "Freeze Squeeze." It’s a convenient way to enjoy this frozen treat on the run. It’s being test-marketed in a few grocery stores.

For more information visit www.merlinos.com.