Binyamin Almond (שקד-בנימין)
• Species: Prunus dulcis (Almond).
• Variety Name: Binyamin (בנימין).
• Developer: Israeli Agricultural Research Organization.
• Cultivated Region: Cultivated primarily in the Galilee and Upper Jordan Valley areas, where cold winter chill hours match warm summer ripening cycles.
• Key Characteristics: Selected specifically for its extreme resistance to severe Mediterranean heat and droughts. It delivers a large kernel inside a relatively soft shell, optimizing high agricultural yield per acre and making it highly favored for commercial machine harvesting.
Aliza Grapefruit (אשכולית-עליזה)
• Species: Citrus paradisi × Citrus reticulata (Grapefruit-Mandarin hybrid).
• Variety Name: Aliza (עליזה).
• Developer: Developed by the Volcani Center.
• Cultivated Region: Grown in citrus-producing regions across the Sharon Plain and the northern valleys.
• Key Characteristics: An innovative "grapefruit-like" citrus variety that features a sweet flavor completely stripped of the heavy acidic bite or bitter aftertaste typical of standard grapefruits. It has yellowish-green skin, bright golden-yellow flesh, and is seedless.
Sheli Mango (מנגו שלי)
• Species: Mangifera indica (Mango).
• Variety Name: Sheli (שלי).
• Developer: Developed by agricultural geneticists in Israel as part of a national target to yield high-quality mid-to-late season crops.
• Cultivated Region: Grown heavily around the Sea of Galilee (Jordan Valley) region and parts of the northern plains where sub-tropical orchard microclimates are maintained.
• Key Characteristics: A large, round, highly colorful mango displaying a bright red and yellow blush skin. It is distinct for being virtually fiberless, sweet, firm, and having a long post-harvest shelf life, which prevents it from bruising easily during transit
Galia Melon (מלון גליה)
• Species: Cucumis melo (Muskmelon hybrid, specifically crossed between a Cantaloupe and a Honeydew).
• Variety Name: Galia (גליה).
• Developer: Bred at the Newe Ya'ar Research Station by breeder Dr. Zvi Karchi.
• Cultivated Region: Widely cultivated in the Arava Valley and the southern Negev Desert, utilizing specialized desert greenhouse technology.
• Key Characteristics: Released internationally in the mid-1970s, it became a global standard. It features a round, rough, heavily netted yellowish rind and highly aromatic, sweet, juicy light-green flesh. It was specifically bred to exhibit an exceptionally long shelf-life suitable for global export.
Red Pommel (פומלית-עינת / רדסון)
• Species: Citrus grandis × Citrus paradisi (Pomelo-Grapefruit Hybrid).
• Variety Name: Einat (commercially known as Redson or רדסון).
• Developer: The Volcani Institute (Agricultural Research Organization).
• Cultivated Region: Predominantly grown in the Jezreel Valley (harvested early in October) as well as the Negev Desert and the Coastal Plain (harvested November through January).
• Key Characteristics: A completely seedless triploid hybrid with a round, slightly flattened shape. Unlike green-skinned traditional pomelits (like the "Sweetie"), it boasts a thin yellowish skin with a soft pink blush and dark red, highly juicy flesh. It balances a sweet taste with a pleasant, subtle citrus bitterness.
