Winter might be at its peak, but if there’s one thing to brighten up these dreary days, it’s the promise of winter fruit, and in particular, Woolworths’ iconic ClemenGold® mandarins. Virtually seedless, gloriously juicy, with that unmistakable balance of sweetness and acidity, ClemenGold® mandarins might seem like something of a feat of nature, but along with prime growing conditions, they’re also the result of rigorous processes and an unwavering commitment to sustainability and quality.

Though they might be a regular on the shelves of your local Woolies, the origin story of ClemenGold® mandarins began in Afourer, Morocco. Originally cultivated in 1964, by Dr El Bachir Nadori, the revolutionary Nadorcott mandarin variety caught the limelight with its easy-to-peel, virtually seedless nature, along with its vibrant orange colour. In 2003 it was branded to the household name we all know and love.

Today, ClemenGold® mandarins grow much closer to home, on 50 farms throughout South Africa, in the Western Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape. And the exacting standards start on the farm. The climates in these regions are prime growing conditions, but it’s the precise process they go through that also contributes to their consistently perfect results. ClemenGold® mandarins are sun-ripened on the trees and only once they’ve achieved the correct taste balance and special deep orange skin, are they hand-picked by expert teams. Once in the packhouses, they go through another round of checks before they’re deemed premium, after which they’re sent on to Woolworths. One aspect of this process you might not be aware of is the ClemenGold® commitment to environmental sustainability and the surrounding communities in which they operate. In the same way that the climate and location of the farms play an invaluable role in the finished product, ClemenGold® need the knowledge and support of the people who work in and around the farms to achieve its full potential. What’s more, ClemenGold®’s consciousness stretches from the farms, all the way to the shelves in-store. Marisa Munroe, Woolworths Head of Product: Food Business Development, says  “We have developed meticulous display protocols to ensure that the fruit does not get bruised, showing the same respect to the crops as our farmers do up the value chain”.

 

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If the farming process seems meticulous, you’ll know why when you taste the product – ClemenGold® mandarins are a perfect combination of zesty flavour, aroma, juiciness and overall appearance. Further characterised by thin skin and minimal pith, this is also what makes them a dream to peel, free from dry strings. The final proof is in the pudding, or rather, in the ClemenGold®. Biting into one will reveal just how juicy the citrus is, satisfyingly seedless and full of flavour as bright as sunshine. Just one bite and you’ll understand the consistent dedication to the highest quality standards.

It’s this consistency, at every stage of the ClemenGold® mandarin lifecycle, that sets this fruit apart. The precise climate, the expert teams, the meticulous growing conditions, everything works in harmony to produce the perfect ClemenGold®, every single time, regardless of the time of year. Whether eaten on the go, as part of a salad, baked into a dessert, or used for a refreshing juice, there is no denying the irresistible flavour of a ClemenGold® mandarin, and knowing they’re all part of a responsible and sustainable environment just makes them taste that much sweeter. “One or two sweet-tasting fruits here and there is not the business that we are in – we aim for consistency and to deliver this flavour promise season in and season out,” says Marisa. “This is the result of our deep commitment to product excellence.”

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