At New Year, tangerines, often from Abkhazia, always appear on our festive tables. These fruits have long become an integral symbol of the holiday. However, their 'festive' status arose by chance thanks to merchant Nikolai Igumnov. The story began in the late 19th century when Nikolai Vasilievich owned the Yaroslavl Large Manufactory, which produced high-quality fabrics.

Being a wealthy man, Igumnov decided to build a real palace in Moscow. Architect Nikolai Pozdeyev took all his wishes into account. The merchant wanted the house to be in the neo-Russian style with rich decor, showcasing his wealth. For the interior, paintings, furniture, and tiles were ordered from the best manufacturers in Europe and Russia. However, when the house was ready, Muscovites criticized it for its lack of style and excessive luxury.

Igumnov threw a lavish housewarming party: he invited high society and scattered gold coins around the rooms. This caused discontent from Nicholas II, as his image was on the coins. They were walked on and danced upon, which the sovereign perceived as an insult. After that, Igumnov, according to rumors, fell out of favor and was exiled to Abkhazia.

But Nikolai Igumnov did not despair and took up agronomy in the Caucasus. He became fascinated with tropical fruits and began to grow kiwis, mangoes, and citrus fruits, including tangerines, which thrived in Abkhazian soil. His entrepreneurial spirit did not leave him: tangerines became a commodity, and later he opened a small fish canning factory. During the Soviet years, his 'experimental estate' was nationalized and turned into a state farm, where he worked as an agronomist until the end of his life.