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Kougadam Invest Sitrusplaas – Laerskool Stulting, Humansdorp se graad 3 leerders het onlangs die Kougadam Invest Sitrusplaas besoek. Dit was ‘n opvoedkundige uitstappie. Die uitstappie het aangesluit by die tema “gesonde eetgewoontes en voedselgroepe en “plante en produkte”.
Die leerders het ‘n paar oulike feite geleer van verskeie sitrussoorte, self sitrus gepluk en tussendeur gepeusel ook.
Ná die uitstappie op die plaas het hulle die Kougadam besoek om beter te verstaan waar Humansdorp dorp se water vandaan kom. Hulle het ook geleer dat alles wat leef water nodig het, dankbaar moet wees vir elke druppel wat in die land se damme is.
Rypwording prosesse
Op die Kougadam Invest Sitrusplaas is hulle gewys hoe die vrugte getoets word in die toetskamers, asook die “opkleurkamers”, beter bekend as rypmaakkamers. Die spesiale fasiliteite waar sitrusvrugte geplaas word om hul kleur te verbeter en die rypwordingsproses te bespoedig is gewys. Hierdie kamers is toegerus met beheerbare temperatuur-, humiditeits- en etileengasvlakke. Die temperatuur in die kamers word gewoonlik tussen 20°C en 25°C gehandhaaf, wat ideaal is vir die aktivering van die rypwordingsprosesse.
Rypwording hormoon
Etileengas, wat ‘n natuurlike rypwordingshormoon is, word gebruik om die proses te versnel deur die afbreek van chlorofil te stimuleer, wat die groen kleur van die vrugte verminder en die lewendige oranje of geel kleur laat deurskyn. Die humiditeit word ook streng beheer om te verhoed dat die vrugte uitdroog of te vogtig raak, wat hulle vatbaar kan maak vir verrotting.Hierdie prosedure verseker dat die sitrusvrugte ‘n aantreklike kleur het wanneer hulle die mark bereik, wat belangrik is vir verbruikersvoorkeure en verkope.
Hulle het het ook die Pakhuis van die Kougadam Invest Sitrusplaas besoek, waar hulle meer van die ander gedeelte van sitrusboerdery geleer het , naamlik die verpakking.
Fun facts about Citrus?
Citrus fruits are low in calories, making them a smart choice for people seeking to lose or maintain their weight.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is right on top of the list of nutrients that you need to keep your skin looking young. Ascorbic acid is essential because it helps regenerate collagen, which maintains the elasticity of your skin.
Eating citrus fruits may help lower the risk of kidney stones in some people by raising citrate levels in urine.
Did you know that citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and grapefruits are classified as berries? These juicy delights develop from a single ovary and have a delicious fleshy part surrounding their seeds.
Harnessing the power of lemons! Lemons can actually generate electricity for LEDs due to their high acidity. It’s a refreshing way to light up your day while enjoying the tangy flavour of these citrus wonders.
Why is the name Orange?
Oranges: The name that gave colour! Believe it or not, the fruit “orange” was named before the colour itself. In the past, the colour was called “geoluhread” in Old English. Oranges arrived in Europe and brought along their vibrant hue, leading to the naming of the colour orange.
Nature’s colour-changing citrus show! Citrus fruits, such as oranges, continue to transform after being picked. Witness the magic of “degreening” as these fruits transition from green to their signature vibrant hues, enhancing their sweetness as they ripen.
Did you know that the high acid content in lemons makes them less dense than water, causing them to float? Lemons float but limes sink.
Self-pollinating
Citrus trees are typically self-pollinating, meaning they do not require pollen from another tree to produce fruit. Most citrus flowers contain both male (stamens) and female (pistil) reproductive organs, allowing them to fertilize themselves. This self-pollination occurs when pollen from the same flower or another flower on the same tree reaches the stigma and fertilizes the ovules. Additionally, pollination can be assisted by the wind, which helps transfer pollen within the tree. Therefore, bees and other pollinators are not essential for citrus fruit production, making it easier to ensure consistent yields. This trait is advantageous for citrus growers, as it ensures fruit production even when there are no pollinating insects or other citrus trees nearby. However, while self-pollination is common, cross-pollination can sometimes occur and may lead to variations in fruit characteristics.
Camera machine
An amazing technology screening/camera machine takes 18-20 photos per split second of each fruit for analyzing and determining the quality of the fruit. The machine takes note of size and colour of fruit as well as the weight to make sure it gets deposited into the correct bin for packing.
Once fruit is picked, you can eat it from the tree but for the perfect citrus experience: fruit is put into a colouring room. Here the temperature and humidity is checked 3 times daily until ready.
Each pallet must be brand new when used and is never reused.
Picking process
Picked by hand using special scissors.
Waits to be cleaned, washed.
Goes to colour room (temp + humidity)
Waxed (protective layer, stops the fruit from overriping)
Screening machine to grade the fruit.
Packed (wrapped, boxed, and weighed for shipping.
Fruit only gets to overseas consumers 1 to 1½ months later.
When the filled crates are moved from the orchard to the stores, they weigh 380kg each.
Meer skolenuus: https://schoolsthatrocksa.co.za
Foto’s voorsien
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