Mandora & Commandaria Marmalade

A Collaboration with Carob Island

Meet Anna, the person behind Carob Island. A talented baker and cook, she creates exceptional marmalades and preserves. Having grown up together and sharing a love of all things citrus, collaborating on a special product felt like a natural fit.

Together, we developed our first collaboration: Mandora & Commandaria Marmalade. After experimenting with different recipes, refining ingredient ratios, and conducting plenty of tastings, we arrived at a marmalade that celebrates Cyprus' rich culinary heritage.

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Why Mandora and Commandaria?

We wanted to create a marmalade that tells a uniquely Cypriot story.

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The Mandora

The Mandora (Citrus reticulata × Citrus sinensis) is grown here at Akaki Grove. It is a hybrid of a mandarin (Man) and a sweet orange (Ora), and is known only by this name in Cyprus.

Larger than a mandarin and flatter than an orange, the Mandora has a thick skin and a distinctive flavour profile. It combines sweetness with a bright, tangy acidity, making it more vibrant than a typical mandarin.

Some decades ago, Mandora cultivation was heavily promoted in Cyprus, and today we have around 100 Mandora trees growing at the grove. My late grandmother particularly loved eating them peeled and sprinkled with a little salt—a simple tradition that perfectly highlighted their sweet-sharp character.

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The Commandaria

Commandaria is often described as the world's oldest wine still in production. Made from the indigenous Cypriot grape varieties Xynisteri and Mavro, this sweet dessert wine has a history stretching back thousands of years.

The wine acquired its modern name during the era of the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller, whose headquarters, the Grande Commanderie, gave Commandaria its title. However, its origins are much older. Around 800 BCE, the poet Hesiod referred to a dried-grape wine known as Cyprus Nama, believed to be an early predecessor of Commandaria.

Its rich sweetness and complex flavour make it a perfect partner for the bright citrus notes of Mandora.

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A Marriage Made in Marmalade Heaven

The sweet-tart character of Mandora and the rich, honeyed notes of Commandaria create a marmalade with remarkable depth and complexity.

Enjoy it:

• Spread on warm bread or toast

• Paired with a Halloumi

• Swirled into yoghurt

• Used in baking

• Or simply enjoyed straight from the jar

However you choose to eat it, we hope you'll enjoy this celebration of Cyprus in a jar.