Limone dell'Etna has become part of the excellences of the EU register of Protected Geographical Indications (Igp).
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himGood news for Made in Italy agriculture: Limone dell'Etna has officially entered the register of Protected Geographical Indications (Igp). With this new recognition, the number of Sicilian PDOs and PGIs in the agri-food sector rises to 34 and the island's certified citrus fruits rise to 5. Among the latter we find the Red Orange of Sicily (IGP), the Lemon of Syracuse (IGP), the Lemon Interdonato Messina (IGP) and the Orange of Ribera (PDO).
As stated in a note from the European Commission, the recognition was granted for "the development and maturation in a very specific climatic environment, consisting of soils of volcanic origin associated with a climate tempered by the sea" and for the "particular cultivation technique , which allows summer production and which still characterizes the coastal area of Acireale today ".
The news of obtaining the IGP brand was received with great enthusiasm and satisfaction from the association "Limone dell'Etna PGI" which for years has been promoting and protecting the production of this extraordinary citrus fruit grown in the Ionian-Etna area:
We made it! Published today the decree of recognition in the European Official Journal of the "Limone dell'Etna ...
Posted by Limone dell'Etna IGP on Thursday, October 22, 2020
Also the minister of agricultural, food and forestry policies Teresa Bellanova commented on the news on his Facebook profile, underlining not only the quality of an excellent product cultivated with dedication for several decades, but also the importance of networking in the agri-food sector:
Once again the confirmation of the quality and excellence of Sicilian agriculture. The lemons of Etna get the ...
Posted by Teresa Bellanova on Thursday, October 22, 2020
The extraordinary characteristics of Limone dell'Etna
The peculiarities of Limone dell'Etna are closely linked to the climate and the volcanic soil in which it is grown. This extraordinary fruit is produced in the Ionian-Etnean belt between the Alcantara river and the northern border of the municipality of Catania. The area includes several municipalities: Aci Bonaccorsi, Aci Castello, Aci Catena, Aci Sant'Antonio, Acireale, Calatabiano, Castiglione di Sicilia, Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, Giarre, Mascali, Piedimonte Etneo, Riposto, Santa Venerina, San Gregorio di Catania, Valverde and Zafferana Etnea.
Limone dell'Etna PGI / Facebook
A specificity concerning the Limone dell'Etna is the so-called "forcing" or "dry", a particular cultivation technique that is handed down from generation to generation and which gives rise to the summer production of verdelli lemons. The large-scale cultivation of Limone dell'Etna has very ancient origins, dating back to the end of the eighteenth century thanks to the expansion of maritime trade from the ports of Catania and Riposto.
There are two varieties of cultivars that grow on the slopes of Etna: Monachello e Feminello, whose peel, rich in essential oils, has a color that varies from light green to citrine or light yellow, according to the degree of ripeness. Limone dell'Etna is not only a precious and versatile ingredient in the kitchen, but it is a citrus fruit particularly appreciated by the cosmetic industry due to the superior characteristics of the essential oils obtained from the fruit and its unmistakable aroma.
Sources: Official Journal of the European Union / Facebook
