In order to meet demand, the Consortium will inaugurate a new processing centre at the C.O.CE.A. Segno facility, which is ideal both from a logistics and cold chain point of view.
After harvesting, the fruit will be sorted (thus saving time as it will not be necessary to do it in the field) and analysed both by the staff and machinery. The cherries will be transported along the line via water, as it is the only way not to damage their appearance and consistency.
The processing machine cost around €1 million and it is equipped with Cherry Vision Unitec Technology, the exclusive technology that enables the assessment of the internal and external quality of the fruit and the detection of grade, colour, internal and external defects, softness, stalks, Brix level.
Processing manager Franco Paoli is quite optimistic as "the new technology will make our work easier. It will not be necessary to sort them in the field, so they will reach the facility quicker and be packaged in record times, so consumers will have a better product."
Processing manager Franco Paoli is quite optimistic as "the new technology will make our work easier. It will not be necessary to sort them in the field, so they will reach the facility quicker and be packaged in record times, so consumers will have a better product."
Another distinctive element will be the Hydrocooler, a system to cool cherries rapidly in order to process them by machine and extend their shelf life.
A stainless steel section will be dedicated to packaging - in addition to the classing 500 g punnets, numerous other options are also available.
Melinda cherries were an immediate success due to the exceptional quality of the fruit. Unlike other types of cherries, they are cultivated under films to avoid problems due to the weather. The climate of the Trentino mountains and the unique sunlight conditions make sure they have a unique consistency and flavour. In addition, the Consortium's technology enables it to exclusively supply fleshy fruit with big grades, extremely sweet and crunchy with an extended shelf life.
The most popular varieties are the Kordia - harvested in early July, with a dark colour and heart shaped - and Regina - available from mid July with a high sugar content and a more oblong shape.
The choice of Melinda to add cherry production to their already consolidated apple production proved successful. This season is looking quite good, especially since demand is high as there is not much produce available on the market. Despite the low temperatures in spring, quality and quantities are expected to be good - there should be around 10-15% less produce than than 600 tons produced last year.
For further information:
Consorzio Melinda Sca
Tel.: (+39) 0463 671111
Email: melinda@melinda.it
Web: www.melinda.it
A stainless steel section will be dedicated to packaging - in addition to the classing 500 g punnets, numerous other options are also available.
Melinda cherries were an immediate success due to the exceptional quality of the fruit. Unlike other types of cherries, they are cultivated under films to avoid problems due to the weather. The climate of the Trentino mountains and the unique sunlight conditions make sure they have a unique consistency and flavour. In addition, the Consortium's technology enables it to exclusively supply fleshy fruit with big grades, extremely sweet and crunchy with an extended shelf life.
The most popular varieties are the Kordia - harvested in early July, with a dark colour and heart shaped - and Regina - available from mid July with a high sugar content and a more oblong shape.
The choice of Melinda to add cherry production to their already consolidated apple production proved successful. This season is looking quite good, especially since demand is high as there is not much produce available on the market. Despite the low temperatures in spring, quality and quantities are expected to be good - there should be around 10-15% less produce than than 600 tons produced last year.
For further information:
Consorzio Melinda Sca
Tel.: (+39) 0463 671111
Email: melinda@melinda.it
Web: www.melinda.it