TESTING
Consumers have always tended to buy on looks rather than taste. This is
changing, however and taste is becoming increasingly important. The Sundays
River Valley is renowned for the internal quality of its fruit, which gives
SRCC a distinct advantage over many other citrus producing areas. A test that
analyses the internal quality of the fruit without the need to cut it open,
will soon become standard in the industry.
This will allow SRCC to set its own standards for internal maturity. A
conventional test that has been used for many years, involves taking a sample
of fruit and squeezing out the juice. This is known as a titration test and is
used to determine the brix levels, or measurement of sugars. The value of the
fruit's internal maturity is governed by its total sugar solids (BRIX), as well
as the percentage of acid present. In order to meet export requirements,
the BRIX should be above a certain minimum and the acid below a certain
maximum.
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