'Garden of Eden': the Spanish farm growing citrus you've never heard of

2 months ago

Matthew Slotover discovered the Todolí Citrus Foundation, the largest private collection of citrus in the world with over 500 varieties.
The farm grows rare citrus fruits like kumquat, finger lime, sudachi, and bergamot, all organically, creating a haven for wildlife.
Slotover, founder of Toklas in London, sources rare citrus from Todolí for his menu, collaborating with chefs and organic suppliers.
Finger limes, known as caviar limes, are a popular menu item at Toklas, prized for their burst-in-mouth zesty pearls.
The Todolí Citrus Foundation operates organically, avoiding pesticides and using ancient Arab irrigation practices with ditches and ponds.
The farm serves as a gene bank for citrus varieties, crucial for adapting to climate change and future cultivation challenges.
One notable variety is the trifoliate orange, which sheds leaves in winter, offering cold resistance—a potential genetic trait for other citrus.
The farm cultivates 40 Japanese citrus varieties, including Kiyomi tangor and Valentine pomelo, favored by chefs for unique flavors.

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