Description
The Jablka Lackie PGI are apples from the Idared, Jonagold, Champion, Ligol, Golden Delicious, Gala, Boskoop, Red Boskoop, Elise, Early Geneve, Topaz, Lobo, Rubin, Gloster and Jonagored varieties.
Production Area
The production area of Jablka Lackie PGI covers the municipal areas of Lacko, Podegrodzie, Stary Sacz and Lukowica, in Lesser Poland Voivodeship.
Production Method
Jablka Lackie PGI are obtained through integrated production systems aimed at high quality fruits and, at the same time, at the full respect of the pedoclimatic conditions of the region. Therefore there are only a few interventions or not at all on the natural environment and the grounds on which to develop apple orchards are carefully selected and compact and only a little rocky grounds are generally chosen (usually between 5 and 15°) to avoid water stagnation which could cause a too high humidity level for roots with the risk of plants' diseases.
Appearance and Flavour
Jablka Lackie PGI have different features depending on the variety. The peel, which can develop rustiness, has a yellow-green or green-yellow ground colour; whilst the surface is red in variable tones (the surface colour is pink only for Champion and Golden Delicious varieties). The hardness of the flesh is for all the apples higher than or equal to 4.5 kg/cm2. The flavour is characterised by the so-called "mountain green hint", meaning it is sour and aromatic.
History
The apples from Lacko region boast a centuries-old history. Indeed, historic documents confirm that apple orchards were in the area already in the 16th century, albeit only for an ornamental purpose in gardens of farms and churches. But during the following century, the extension of apple orchards had increased a lot and the apple production had highly developed, so the harvest of these fruits became one of the main tasks that the Lords required to the farm workers. Other documents reveal that in the 18th century Lacko apples were sold and exported also out from the area boundaries. Their reputation has never dropped and also recently they have been protagonists of many media events. Since 1947, every year in May, the days of "the flowered apple tree" have been dedicated to them.
Gastronomy
Jablka Lackie PGI has to be stored in a cool and dry place or in the least cold compartment of refrigerator. It is a tasty fruit to eat raw and natural, but is also appreciated as an ingredient for vegetable salads to season with a bit of cumin, for white meat-based second courses as, for example, stuffed duck, and for the traditional Polish cake szarlotka which is stuffed with apples.
Marketing
The product is sold as Jablka Lackie PGI, in the Idared, Jonagold, Champion, Ligol, Golden Delicious, Gala, Boskoop, Red Boskoop, Elise, Early Geneve, Topaz, Lobo, Rubin, Gloster and Jonagored varieties.
Distinctive Features
The distinctive flavour of Jablka Lackie PGI is due to the so-called "mountain green hint" caused by a medium acidity level, but rather high compared with other apple types (from 3.7 to 12 gr/kg).
