It has been an early start to the Queensland Imperial Mandarin season. The crop this year looks to be particularly good. The first mandarins of the year are the Imperial variety from Central Queensland around the Gayndah district. Imperial is a medium-sized mandarin, easy to peel, and does not have a lot of seeds. Hence, they are extremely popular in the school lunch box. To me, none of the many other varieties of mandarins eat like an Imperial; they are standalone the best. After May, we move south for these beauties and the season extends to about the middle of August some years, but not always. I am convinced the best fruit most years is the Queensland fruit. I prefer to buy medium fruit as it is less likely to be dry.
