Description
The Fassolia Gigantes Elefantes Kato Nevrokopiou PGI is a bean of the variety Phaseolus coccineus or multiflorus, with a white colour and particular weight and size, grown with open field cultivation.
Production Area
The production area of the Fassolia Gigantes Elefantes Kato Nevrokopiou PGI is within the area of Kato Nevrokopi in the municipal area of Drama, specifically in the agricultural zones of the municipal areas of Kato Nevrokopi, Chrysokefalous, Lefkogia, Exochi, Dasoto, Vathytopos, Katafito, Kato Vrontou, Perithori, Ochiro, Achladia, Pagoneri, Mikrokleisoura, Potami, and Mikromilia, in the Eastern Macedonia and Trace region.
Production Method
Bean collecting is done manually and in various stages, in order to consent complete ripening. After that, the pods are exposed to the sun to favour the natural drying process, and also to be able to collect the seeds more easily, hitting them slightly. The seeds obtained are cleaned and spread out under the sun to reduce their humidity content, then they are manually sorted eliminating foreign bodies and defective seeds. The seeds are conditioned and after that selected, graded and packaged mechanically in the cooperative plants of the Drama municipal area, in the region of Kato Nevrokopi. These cooperatives use extremely modern machinery that consent grading and electronic control of the entire procedure.
Appearance and Flavour
The Fassolia Gigantes Elefantes Kato Nevrokopiou PGI has a shape similar to a "kidney" and has a white colour. The basic characteristic is constituted by the size and the weight: 1000 beans weigh more than 1200 gr. The flavour is very pleasant and well balanced, with good consistency.
History
The history of the Fassolia Gigantes Elefantes Kato Nevrokopiou PGI is linked to the introduction of bean cultivation in Greece, which dates back to the 16th century. Initially, terrains situated in plain areas were used, but successively, given the particular physiological characteristics and the adaptability to many terrain types, the beans started being cultivated on various altitudes. This variety has developed in the area of Kato Nevrokopi, in the municipal area of Drama, and quickly won consumer appreciation.
Gastronomy
The Fassolia Gigantes Elefantes Kato Nevrokopiou PGI should be kept in a clean place under good hygienic conditions, without particular care, given the product's resistance. They are consumed cooked, baked or boiled, seasoned with oil and served with other vegetable products such as onions, tomatoes, celery and carrots.
Marketing
The product is sold as Fassolia Gigantes Elefantes Kato Nevrokopiou PGI. It is marketed in bags of ½ kg or 1 kg, which are placed in crates of 10 kg or 20 kg.
Distinctive Features
The excellent quality of the Fassolia Gigantes Elefantes Kato Nevrokopiou PGI is given by the particular cultivation, due to the region's microclimate and the soil that is poor in calcium, which are relevant elements coupled with the traditional cultivation methods of the Kato Nevrokopi territory in the Drama region. The product is widely known in the internal market.
