Description
The Fystiki Megaron PDO is a high quality pistachio obtained from the cultivation of the varieties Megalokarpi, Fundukati, Nihati and Kilarati, belonging to the species Pistachia Vera.
Production Area
The Fystiki Megaron PDO is produced exclusively in the Megara region, specifically on the borders between the municipal areas of Megara and Neo Peramos, in the Attica region.
Production Method
The pistachio cultivated in the Megara region is gathered every year from 20th August to 20th September. The terrain is covered with large sheets, on which the pistachios fall after the trees are jolted. After the gathering, the humid pistachio is prepared for the natural drying process, to avoid blackening. When the endocarp opens readily and its body breaks easily, the pistachio is ready to be commercialised. Depending on the case, the fruit can first be salted or cooked. During the processing, the use of colouring agents and preservatives is forbidden. Only citric acid (2%) and salt (8%) can be used.
Appearance and Flavour
The Fystiki Megaron PDO has a green colour.
History
The origins of the Fystiki Megaron PDO are linked to the spreading of the pistachio, native to the Middle East and almost certainly to ancient Persia, throughout Europe and also Greece. In fact, its name seems to derive from the Persian pesteh or fisteh or fistij, a word that in Greek has become pistàkion.
Gastronomy
The Fystiki Megaron PDO should be kept in a cool and dry place. Shelled, toasted and at times salted, the Fystiki Megaron PDO lends itself to direct consumption, but also to be used for pastry making, sausage making and in the preparation of various recipes (soups, pesto, game, sauces, creams).
Marketing
The product is sold as Fystiki Megaron PDO, raw or cooked, salted or not, with shells or shelled pistachios. Specifically, the closed pistachios are sold only for use in pastry making. It is marketed packed in plastic bags of 200 gr, 250 gr or 500 gr; for wholesale, in bags of 5 kg or 50 kg. The percentage of open pistachios per package should be of 99%. Furthermore, every package should cite the production year, the expiration date and the type of processing. The expiration date of the product cannot exceed eight months after packaging.
Distinctive Features
The Fystiki Megaron PDO is a fruit with an ancient history, known by the Babylonians, Assyrians, Jordanians, Greek, even cited in the Genesis, and is a product that characterises the gastronomic heritage of the Mediterranean populations.
