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This stamp series shows some of the scientific and commercial developments that have taken place in a number of different sorts of fruit grown in Israel.
The citrus fruit stamp
The Jewish resettlement of the Land of Israel saw an enormous development in citrus growing, particularly after the "Shamouti" was discovered. This cultivar is considered one of the best oranges in the world, which, under the trade-name of "Jaffa, made Israel famous for its oranges throughout the world. In order to satisfy the demand, new cultivars have been developed in Israel, and others have been introduced from abroad and adapted to Israel's climate.
The Sweety, which looks like a grapefruit but is much sweeter, is an American cultivar which was developed in Israel for commercial purposes. Later it was followed in other countries.
The Kumquat (which is also known as the Chinese Orange) is like a small orange which is eaten with its peel and is used in the glace fruit industry.
In the last fifteen years, the Agricultural Research Organization, with the help of the government and Israeli farmers, has made great efforts to breed new cultivars, such as the Vinola, the Seedless Lemon and easy peeler cultivars including the Shani, the Admoni, the Or and the Mor. They have all improved in taste and many of these cultivars are now seedless. The development of new cultivars continues apace.
Stamp on fruit for export
With the help of the researchers of the Agricultural Research Organization, fruit for export has been developed. Israel developed the European avocado market first using cultivars developed abroad, and recently also newer and better cultivars of avocado developed here.
The Israeli Persimmon has become very popular due to local research which made it possible to supply the consumer with a persimmon without a tang, so that it can be eaten like an apple.
The date has been a symbol of Israel from biblical times and has these days become the major crop the whole length of the Jordan Valley and the Arava in the south. The old cultivars of dates have given way to the bigger and tastier Majhul cultivar.
The Mango is also a popular crop in the Jordan Valley, the Arava and along the Mediterranean coast - where it is grown in pruned low groves which produce a very attractive fruit. The Agricultural Research Organization has also developed new cultivars of seedless grapes, such as the green 'Prime' and the black Vered. Many more cultivars are now being bred.
Stamp on exotic fruit
Every market has a demand for specially shaped and unusual tasting fruit. The Agricultural Research Organization has developed methods of growing tropical fruit in Israel's subtropical clime. The Carambola is a crop belonging to the Oxalidaceae family, with five and sometimes six lobes. When cut open widthwise it looks like a star, which is both decorative and, in the latest cultivars, very tasty. The Lychee, whose origins are in China, is noted for its delicious taste. It is grown in Israel using some very efficient agricultural methods. A Papaya with small fruits has been developed: they have an excellent taste. A pollination method has been developed which enables large yields of Annona to be produced. Other exotic fruits are in various stages of development.