A Spanish farm is cultivating an astonishing array of citrus fruits that have yet to gain widespread popularity among chefs worldwide. The Todolí Citrus Foundation, located in Spain's Murcia region, boasts over 500 varieties of citrus trees, making it the largest private collection of its kind globally.
The foundation operates on a different model from commercial farms, with no emphasis on mass production or chemical pesticides. Instead, they rely on natural methods to manage their crops, including ancient Arab irrigation techniques and the use of ponds and ditches to conserve water. This approach not only helps maintain biodiversity but also creates a haven for songbirds that have been displaced by herbicides in other parts of Spain.
The farm's collection includes exotic fruits like kumquat, finger lime, sudachi, bergamot, tangelos, and citrons, all of which are gaining popularity among chefs who seek unique flavors and ingredients. The trifoliate orange, a small citrus fruit with sharp segments, is one such variety that has caught the attention of Matthew Slotover, chef at Toklas in London.
Slotover recently visited the Todolí farm and was struck by its diversity. "It was like the Garden of Eden," he said. The farmer's focus on preserving traditional farming methods and conserving biodiversity may hold the key to citrus varieties surviving the challenges posed by climate change.
The unique genetic traits found in these citrus fruits make them valuable resources for scientists seeking ways to adapt citrus crops to new environments. By studying the Todolí Citrus Foundation's vast collection, researchers hope to uncover secrets that will enable more citrus trees to thrive in areas with colder climates.
The foundation operates on a different model from commercial farms, with no emphasis on mass production or chemical pesticides. Instead, they rely on natural methods to manage their crops, including ancient Arab irrigation techniques and the use of ponds and ditches to conserve water. This approach not only helps maintain biodiversity but also creates a haven for songbirds that have been displaced by herbicides in other parts of Spain.
The farm's collection includes exotic fruits like kumquat, finger lime, sudachi, bergamot, tangelos, and citrons, all of which are gaining popularity among chefs who seek unique flavors and ingredients. The trifoliate orange, a small citrus fruit with sharp segments, is one such variety that has caught the attention of Matthew Slotover, chef at Toklas in London.
Slotover recently visited the Todolí farm and was struck by its diversity. "It was like the Garden of Eden," he said. The farmer's focus on preserving traditional farming methods and conserving biodiversity may hold the key to citrus varieties surviving the challenges posed by climate change.
The unique genetic traits found in these citrus fruits make them valuable resources for scientists seeking ways to adapt citrus crops to new environments. By studying the Todolí Citrus Foundation's vast collection, researchers hope to uncover secrets that will enable more citrus trees to thrive in areas with colder climates.
they're growing so many types of citrus fruits that we've never even heard of before like kumquat and sudachi its so cool to see people actually preserving traditional farming methods instead of just going for mass production. and the fact that they're creating a haven for songbirds is just genius 
the scientists who are studying this foundation's collection might just unlock some secret ways to make citrus crops survive climate change. cant wait to try out some of these exotic fruits in my cooking 
500 varieties of citrus fruits? That's a lot of oranges... err, I mean, opportunities for chefs! The way they do it without all that chemical stuff is also super refreshing. It's like they're taking a leaf out of Mother Nature's book – or should I say, the Todolí Citrus Foundation's book? 
I'm loving the idea of preserving traditional farming methods and conserving biodiversity. Who knew citrus fruits could be so... cool? 
Maybe one day they'll open up a farm-to-table restaurant and serve "Todolí-licious" burgers! 