Can a cucumber offer anything new? In theory, it might not. In practice, it can if new varieties differ from the old ones. "We recently introduced a line of cucumbers," says Massimiliano Ceccarini, CEO of Sipo. "But we have moved on from the past. We've almost abandoned the traditional variety, opting for two new types instead: The mini snack type and the elongated Dutch type. Both are 100% produced in Italy."
With this decision, Sipo has expanded its presence in the cucumber market, and its cucumbers can now be found in several large-scale retail chains. Simona Donini, the company's quality manager, explains, "Our new range of cucumbers meets the needs of customers looking for something new while sticking to traditional products. The long cucumber, for example, is the same variety as the Dutch one, but we grow it with our partner farmers in Italy. At this time of year, they come from Sicily, but later on, they will be cultivated in the Emilia-Romagna and Lazio regions."
These three regions also produce the mini type. "Growing these cucumbers is not easy," Donini continues. "It is labor-intensive. It is essential to harvest them daily in order to sell them according to our specifications. Fortunately, we can count on good farmers who fully meet our standards."
Packaging is essential. Long cucumbers are packaged in one- or two-piece micro-perforated film. On average, each cucumber weighs about 250 grams. Mini cucumbers, on the other hand, are packaged in a paper tray with cellophane wrapping or an R-PET tray with a lid. They weigh 500 grams. These are currently the formats requested by customers.
From an organoleptic perspective, these cucumbers boast thin skin, firm flesh, and exceptional digestibility. "Forget the cucumbers of the past with their bitter aftertaste and poor digestibility," Donini concludes. These new genetic varieties closely align with the preferences of consumers who pay attention to every organoleptic aspect.
For more information:
SIPOSrl
Via Fermignano, 20
47814 Bellaria Igea Marina (RN) - Italy
+39 0541 339711
[email protected]
www.sipo.it
For more information:
Riccardo Giacomini
+44 794.9425912
[email protected]
www.sipolondon.uk