One such exciting new cultivar is the Leanri mandarin hybrid, which is being commercialised by Citrogold in South Africa and Biogold International in other parts of the world. These companies are part of the ANB Group that is also renowned for the globally successful ClemenGold mandarin brand.

Leanri is an induced mutation of the Furr cultivar (Clementine x Murcott) and boasts a rich flavour, has deep orange external and internal colour, low seed content and easy peeling attributes. Its ripening period is from the middle of May to the end of June in the northern areas of South Africa which places it in the mid ripening slot, starting at the latter end of the Nova and Clementine picking period and ending shortly after the commencement of Nadorcott harvesting.

The market increasingly expresses a preference for mandarins. A limited supply of great mandarin hybrids exists. The Furr mandarin offers one of the best eating experiences and the challenge was to breed a seedless/low seeded, smooth skinned and smaller fruited version of the variety. One of the surprising results of the mutation was that the Leanri ripened nearly four weeks earlier than the Furr a rare consequence of this type of breeding.

Technical insights
The Leanri is a moderately vigorous tree with an upright to spreading growth habit with no thorns.
Fruit has a deep-orange, fairly thin rind with relatively low oil content and is very easy to peel.
Its shape varies from oblate and medium sized (calibre 2 to 1) to round and large (calibre 1X 1XX) or extra-large (calibre 1XXX).
A distinguishing characteristic is the open core.
Fruit has high sugars, good acid levels and high juice percentages.
Is low-seeded in solid blocks.

Leanri fruit was evaluated for suitability to cold sterilisation (-0.6°C) and cold storage (2°C and 4°C) temperatures for 30 days. The fruit was also evaluated for internal and external quality before cold storage, and again seven days after removal from cold storage (fruit was kept at 25°C to simulate typical shelf-life conditions). The fruit performed well at all temperature regimes with no external chilling injury, and minimal rind pitting or staining, while the internal quality remained good.

During the last 15 years Citrogold has licensed over 10 000 hectares of plantings of new cultivars in South Africa, thereby contributing significantly to the competitiveness of the South African citrus industry. Citrogold current product range includes citrus (oranges, lemons, mandarins, and grapefruit), pomegranate, mango, macadamia and passiflora.

At its best, Orri is simply irresistible with fine, juicy flesh and gorgeous sweetness.

Fine, sweet, balanced
Names: Or; Orr; Orri
Origin: Or is an Israeli variety from the famous Volcani Institute: an induced mutation of Orah, an Ortanique, which itself is a hybrid of Temple and Dancy. There are nine selections of Or, and Or 4 has been named Orri. Orri is a protected and registered name for cultivation and marketing purposes.

Grown in: Spain and South Africa, Israel.

Harvest & Availability: As a late season fruit, Orri is generally harvested from February to April in the Mediterranean. Marketing in the UK takes place in:
August: South Africa (Or 4), Peru
September: South Africa (Or 4), Peru