Givaudan donates $1m to support UCR citrus variety collection

Picture: Givaudan

Givaudan – the world’s leading manufacturer of flavors and fragrances - has donated $1m for the endowment of a chair position at the University of California, Riverside, to support its citrus variety collection.

The gift comes on the eve of the 10th anniversary of Givaudan’s collaboration with the collection, which is one of the most extensive citrus collections in the world, featuring 1,000+ citrus varieties.

The donation will help underwrite the long-term sustainability and growth of the collection, which was set up in 1910 to support the needs of the citrus industry in Southern California and serve as a resource for the research and development of new varieties and citrus-related education, said Mauricio Graber, president of the Swiss firm’s flavors business.

He added: “The citrus variety collection is an incredible place, unlike any other. For nearly 10 years, in our collaboration with UCR, we have found endless inspiration for ourselves and our customers – and we have made many discoveries through analysis of the unique fruits in their groves.”

In 2006, Givaudan began a program at UC Riverside called TasteTrek Citrus (in which customers and flavorists explore the flavors of non-commercial citrus fruits), which has since become a global program spanning more than 200 fruits.