At Peris we have been dedicated to melons for more than 80 years. And almost as long working with watermelon. They are two fruits that are part of our history, our identity and our daily life. We know them well, and we know that although the agri-food sector has made great progress in mechanization, logistics and sustainability, there are products that still require a lot of manual labor. This is one of those cases.
Neither melons nor watermelons allow shortcuts. Their delicacy, their shape, their weight and, in general, their nature, mean that the process from the field to the box has to be extremely careful. And that, today, is still done by hand.
Fruit is king: selection in the field
It all starts in the field. We do not harvest everything at once. Our technicians and farmers evaluate one by one the pieces that are at their optimum ripening point. We analyze the color, the size, the bush…
This process allows us to ensure homogeneity, flavor and quality from the origin. It is a way of working that identifies us and that we have perfected over decades.
Manual harvesting: only what is perfect.
Once the fruit is ready, it is cut by hand. This allows us to treat it with the care it requires, avoid bruising and ensure that it arrives at our facilities without losing any of its freshness and quality.
There are no machines to replace this step. Neither in Peris nor in practically any company that works melon or watermelon with guarantees.
Triage with expert hands
At our production plant in Foios, a new phase begins: manual triage. Here the most experienced eyes and hands of the team intervene. They check each piece, assess the caliber, shape, firmness… and decide for which brand or format it is most suitable: Peris Dolce, Vicentín, Peris Gold, 18 Quilatesand also those destined for pre-prepared convenience food, the sliced fruit we market under the brand name Frutifresh.
This triage is not limited to separating the good from the bad. All the product that enters Peris is good, but not all of it is destined for the same thing. And therein lies the value of knowledge. Knowing which brand to use for each piece and how to get the most out of them.
Manual labeling: the signature
Each melon carries its own label, which is attached by hand, with the exact location and detail required for a high-value product. It is the last gesture before going out to the customer… and also a way of guaranteeing that everything has been checked by a person.
Respectful and sustainable packaging
Finally, comes the boxing, also manual. Here we make sure that each piece is well positioned, well oriented in the box and with just enough space to avoid movement and bumps.
We use cardboard boxes with FSC sustainability certification. They are 100% recyclable and a high percentage of them are made from recycled material. And in the case of our most premium melons, such as Peris Gold and 18 Carat, we use wooden boxes, a noble material that better protects the contents. In addition, we add wood shavings that act as a natural shock absorber and reinforce that feeling of extreme care.
Tradition, experience and craftsmanship
It is clear that manual processes are still, to this day, the reliable way to work with products as unique as melon and watermelon. What does make a difference is how these processes are executed, and here, experience counts.
At Peris we have been listening to the fruit for more than eight decades, respecting its rhythm, fine-tuning our processes and surrounding ourselves with people who know and respect every detail. We may not do anything extraordinary, but what is certain is that we do it with the deep knowledge and care that our products (and our customers) deserve.
And that, in the end, shows in every bite.