Sigal

Sigal is a medium sized seedless mandarin with a regular flat-round shape. The peel is a very attractive deep orange colour with a finely pebbled smooth surface. When held, the fruit feels quite firm and dense, alluding to a tight skin, but actually, the thin peel is removed quite easily and, if careful, can come away in one go. The segments are fairly firm, with an equally attractive colouration and fine juice vesicles, though on eating, there is sometimes a surprising ragginess. However, the taste is sublime with a high level of sweetness and good acid balance, so the chewiness does not detract from enjoyment and, in fact, deepens the experience.

The fruit sometimes has a small navel opening at the stylar-end, though there is no protrusion of a navel, either internally or externally.

Brix levels are around 16^o, with acids at 1.2. Juice content is approximately 46%. The variety can be stored for 3 to 6 weeks at 2-8^oC and is tolerant of common cold quarantine regimes.

Sigal is a late-ripening variety. In Israel Sigal is produced between the months of January and February.

 Good Fruit Guide Rating: *****

Sigal is a very enjoyable easy-peeling mandarin with firm flesh and a well-balanced eating quality.

Sweet, balanced, firm.

Names: Sigal; Citrus deliciosa Ten; USPP33872.

Origin: Sigal originated in Israel. The breeding team, Nir Carmi et al, of ARO Volcani Center, undertook a cross between Orah (seed parent) x Shani (pollen parent) in 1995. The first asexual propagation of the off-spring was accomplished by grafting in 1996. With proof of a firm fix of characteristics over successive generations, the new variety was selected in 2006. The variety is protected and can only be propagated and produced under licence. Citrus Genesis is the licence holder in Spain and South Africa.

The US Plant Patent was granted in November, 2021.

Grown in: Israel, Spain, South Africa, USA

Harvest & Availability: In UK, availability of Sigal is as follows.

• January:                   Israel, Spain
• February:                 Israel, Spain
• March:
• April:
• May:
• June:
• July:                          South Africa
• August:                     South Africa
• September:
• October:
• November:
• December:

Websites:

PP33872 – US Plant Patent