About us
Our story here at Kunje is a heartfelt beginning for the Hanekom family in 1834. It was a time when beans and livestock were initially cultivated, and the first fruit trees were finally planted in 1956. The distinctive name Kunje, often a topic of curiosity, finds its roots in from the word “Keunje” – but as we cherish its meaning, it embodies “where the mountains come together.” When you step onto our farm, you will truly feel it, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of majestic mountains. Our farm lies adjacent to the renowned Cederberg, and with our unique climate, we are fortunate to grow a vibrant assortment of fruit, including peaches, dessert peaches, nectarines, apples, pears, plums, oranges and lemons.
Our current Managing Director, Theunis Hanekom, proudly represents the sixth generation of the Hanekom family to farm here. He began this journey alongside his father, Louis Hanekom, in 1986. Together, the family worked hard to plant more fruit trees and expand the farm. The fruits we grow are primarily destined for both the export and local markets. Additionally, we process and dry a portion of our fruit right here on-site for K-Fruit, our delicious branch specialising in dried fruit and sweets. K-Fruit was founded in 2018 by Louis Hanekom, the seventh generation in our family! While we’ve been producing dried fruits for many years, we were thrilled to enhance our operations with a dedicated drying and processing facility, complete with our own packaging. To get the high-quality dried fruit products, fruit is left on trees for longer periods to reach their optimal ripeness and for sugars to develop. After the drying phase is completed, the dried fruits are graded, and a portion is allocated for further processing into all the different dried fruit sweets. All manufacturing and packing happen on the farm. We enjoy taking visitors on a facility tour, and they are welcome to join us for a dried fruit and dried fruit sweets tasting!
We aim to farm in harmony with nature and are currently in the process of forming part of the Tweerivieren Nature Reserve. Kunje also conforms to Global Gap, SIZA and other audit standards.
Overall, we are a proud and productive community that strives towards excellence and care in all we do!
Overall, we are a proud and productive community that strives towards excellence and care in all we do!
Production Process
FROM OUR ORCHARD TO YOUR LUNCHBOX
Step 1:
Fruits are left on the trees longer for optimal ripeness and sugar levels to develop.
Fruits are left on the trees longer for optimal ripeness and sugar levels to develop.
Step 2:
The fruits allocated for drying are then harvested.
The fruits allocated for drying are then harvested.
Step 3:
Fruits are cut and pitted by hand and treated with sulfur and Metabisulphite to optimise shelf life.
Fruits are cut and pitted by hand and treated with sulfur and Metabisulphite to optimise shelf life.
Step 4:
The fruits are placed on wooden drying racks, which are then positioned in the sun for natural drying.
The fruits are placed on wooden drying racks, which are then positioned in the sun for natural drying.
Step 5:
The wooden drying racks are stacked for several additional days to allow the fruits to air dry.
The wooden drying racks are stacked for several additional days to allow the fruits to air dry.
Step 6:
Dried fruits are graded, and certain dried fruits are allocated for processing.
Dried fruits are graded, and certain dried fruits are allocated for processing.
Step 7:
Dried fruits are ground/minced three times and then pressed into long strips or sheets and dried again.
Dried fruits are ground/minced three times and then pressed into long strips or sheets and dried again.
Step 8:
The mixture is then cut into specific shapes and coated with sugar, where applicable.
The mixture is then cut into specific shapes and coated with sugar, where applicable.
Step 9:
The dried fruit sweets are then packed according to customer orders.
The dried fruit sweets are then packed according to customer orders.
