Lema has established its reputation for two things in the organic fruit business. One, is being a Greek organic specialist and two, constantly seeking for new products for their clients – via what they refer to as the “Lema Boutique”.
“In Lema Boutique, we offer alternatives to the core market products. From Soreli kiwi and blood oranges to fresh goji berries, figs, special melon varieties…all sorts of products that have either superior taste or rarity of some sort.” says Lema managing director Diana Levi.
The idea to produce their own Greek organic mini yellow watermelon seemed like the perfect marriage of their two established company characteristics.
“We saw our first yellow watermelon last summer in Greece at a small growers market in the Peloponnese. The variety we saw was extremely big in size, which is not uncommon for South European countries and was conventionally grown by a local farmer. We were so delighted with the taste and look that it got us thinking bigger.”
Lema started to research yellow watermelon varieties closer to the northern mentality of buying and also experimented with different tastes in order to find the perfect variety to start from scratch the first Greek organic yellow watermelon cultivation.
“The variety we chose has few seeds and the weight is between 2 to 4kg. We did try out seedless options also but we did not want to compromise in taste, hence our choice. Our growers in the west of Greece embraced our idea and together we made it a reality.”
“This week we received in our warehouse our first pallets and we are delighted! They have this rare to find, perfect maturity with crisp bright flesh and an aftertaste of honey undertones. They are also juicy in a fun sort of way. It’s a bit like something refreshing, bursting in your mouth!”
“Although we started this project based on the support we had from some existing clients, we have to admit it is extremely rewarding to see how more and more retailers and wholesalers are jumping in with the same enthusiasm everyday.We are certain that our yellow watermelons will become an exiting new summer trend! As for the brand name Hello Sunshine? Well, who doesn’t want a bit of sunshine in their home? And this wonderful remembrance of tasting a slice of chilled watermelon somewhere in Greece, by the sea …”
For more information:
Diana Levi
Lema Organic
Tel: +31 682 854 251
Email: diana@lema-organic.nl
www.lema-organic.nl