Living Magazine Fall 2018 doTERRA Living Magazine | Page 6
Green
Mandarin
A Story of Innovation
The mandarin tree (Citrus reticulata) is native to southeastern Asia and the Philippines. By 1850, the plant had
been established in southern Italy after being introduced there and was thriving in its new environment. As
many settlers from Italy began moving to southern Brazil they found that the soil and growing conditions were
very favorable for growing several varieties of citrus trees, just like their native Italy. Thousands of European im-
migrants had found a beautiful place to call home in Southern Brazil. Such is the story for one family that has
played a critical role in growing and expanding Green Mandarin production in Brazil.
Keeping Traditions Alive
Enzo, a Sicilian native, moved to Brazil in the 1970s while in
his early twenties. One of the key things that Enzo brought
to Brazil was a love for and expertise in growing citrus trees
and processing them for essential oils. He learned this craft
while working with his father and grandfather in the family
citrus business in Sicily. Enzo represents the fourth genera-
tion to carry on the family traditions and expertise in citrus
essential oil production. Even today some of Enzo’s fondest
memories harken back to the days when, as a very young
boy, he would spend time with his grandfather in the citrus
groves and factory.
Enzo is a key pioneer in citrus essential oil production in
Brazil. A mandarin tree needs to be thinned heavily while
the fruit is still young and unripe. Approximately 60–70
percent of the unripe fruit is removed in this thinning process.
Historically, this green, unripe fruit had been left on the
ground, later to decompose and become organic matter.
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Upcycled Farming
Enzo knew, thanks to his grandfather, that this unripe fruit
could be better utilized and could provide added benefit to
each farmer. He also knew that he could produce a beautiful
essential oil. His influence was critical as he went from one
small farmer to another showing them that there was value
in the unripe mandarin fruits. By his efforts over many
years, most farmers growing mandarin in southern Brazil
now work in partnership with Enzo to harvest these unripe
green mandarin fruits.
Now, because of Enzo’s efforts, the income that these small-
scale farmers derive from Enzo’s purchase of their unripe
green mandarin allows the farmers to cover the basic costs of
farming for that season. This leaves all of the income derived
from their normal fresh fruit sales to be “all profit”—an
amazing change from the pre-Green Mandarin days, when
a portion of the fresh fruit income had to cover overhead
farming costs.
Small Scale, Large Reward
do-TERRA is so excited to partner with Enzo and 16,000
small-scale farmers to bring Green Mandarin essential oil
to market. It is an inspiring story of innovation, teamwork,
and expertise coming together Enzo collects the unripe
mandarin fruit and uses the cold press process typically seen
in citrus fruits to extract this beautiful essential oil. Enzo’s
passion for essential oils does not end with Green Mandarin,
however. He also helps with the production of several citrus
essential oils, including Wild Orange, Tangerine, and Lime
essential oils. He loves essential oils and loves being a part of
the do-TERRA family.
Green Mandarin is sure to quickly become one of your
favorite oils. Even as a unique citrus oil, it has many of the
same benefits of the other citrus oils. However, it has one
very distinct difference. Because it is harvested before the
fruit has reached full maturity it is not a photosensitive oil.
This property makes Green Mandarin a special citrus oil
that is great for use indoors and outdoors.
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