South Africa’s leading fruit and vegetable producer, Dutoit Group, based at Ceres in the Western Cape, has acquired the exclusive production and marketing rights in South Africa for a new lettuce variety, Cosberg, from international seed supplier Seminis International.
The Cosberg lettuce, also referred to as the ‘oysterbed lettuce’ was launched recently in a number of supermarket stores and is reportedly set to become a favourite with restaurateurs and consumers in South African alike.
According to its developers, the variety has a unique sweet taste, offers a crispy eating experience and the characteristics of the texture and leaves make it extremely versatile for a number of different uses.
“It is part of our company philosophy to continuously strive for new products which will excite South African consumers. Cosberg is one of these exciting new products which we believe will make a big impact amongst food lovers in our country,” says Pieter du Toit, managing director marketing at Dutoit Group. “We believe that this is one of those products which will bring a whole new eating experience to the South African public. As is the case with all unique new fruits and vegetables, Cosberg will initially be scarce as we increase production to make it more freely available.”
The arrival of the Cosberg in Dutoit Group’s product basket follows other unique products which will increasingly boost the Group’s reputation as leading fruit and vegetable producers and marketers.
Other new products that consumers in South Africa can look forward to are a range of unique tasting new nectarines which will eventually be available over a period of six months, and new apple variety called Honeycrunch, also sometimes referred to as the ‘ultimate crunch’ which offers a taste experience which is very different from other apples, as well as a range of new cherry varieties which will be marketed during the peak summer holidays.
Cosberg is a cross between the Iceberg and Romaine lettuce varieties and is already well-known in the United States under the name Cosmopolitan. The Americans also sometimes call it ‘Lettuce Jammers’, which refers to the unique shape and texture of the leaves which allows hot and cold food to be served in them.
“Its crunchy texture is suited to salads. This lettuce holds its shape when heated making it ideal to serve the cupped leaves filled with hot foods. They are also a good wrapping leaf,” says Martin Smith, production manager for Dutoit Vegetables.
“The Cosberg has an appealing sweetness, is chewier than other lettuces, has a crunchy texture, with boat shape leaves and there is a hint of Christmas Peas in the taste,” says Mr Smith. “The leaves can indeed be filled with hot food and it does not shrivel immediately as is the case with other lettuce varieties. Once you serve the food, the lettuce leave lasts quite well which makes it an attractive way of serving food to family and friends.”
Mr Smith says the Cosberg offers a healthy, quick and easy way of eating and will be appreciated by food connoisseurs and salad lovers. “It fits in with the low carb trend and the South African lifestyle of outdoor picnics and lunches because it is so easy to fill it, roll it, fold it, wrap it and then eat it.”
The Dutoit Group will initially be producing Cosberg at two locations in the Western Cape. During the winter production is concentrated at the Group’s Skaapkraal farm near Malmesbury in the Sandveld, while in summer it is moved to the higher altitude of the Paardekloof estate in the Witzenberg Valley near Ceres. “As we develop this product, we will also be considering partnerships with growers in other parts of the country in order to make Cosberg available to all South African consumers,” says Mr Du Toit.
