Description
The Lentilles Vertes du Berry PGI are lentils belonging to the variety of Lens Culinaris.
Production Area
The production area of the Lentilles Vertes du Berry PGI includes 49 municipal areas of the Indre and Cher departments, in the Centre region.
Production Method
The seeds, strictly certified, are planted at 2-3 cm depth, on a plot of land with no fertilizers. It is allowed, instead, the use of phytosanitary products, but in a moderate way. Lentils are collected when they have reached a humidity degree of 17%. After that, they are selected and packed.
Appearance and Flavour
The Lentilles Vertes du Berry PGI have a diameter of 3.5-5 mm and they are 2-2.5 mm thick. They are dark green with blue veins.
History
The Lentilles Vertes du Berry PGI cultivation began in 1950. Since that, it has represented a valid alternative to crops cultivation, allowing, among other things, to nitrogen fixation to the ground. For thirty years, farmers have improved productivity and quality of lentils with noteworthy results. In fact, the Lentilles Vertes du Berry PGI cultivation has expanded in some years, allowing to have a place in the gastronomic heritage of Berry and to build a lentils storage centre in Châteauroux.
Gastronomy
Lentilles Vertes du Berry PGI can be stored for a long time once they are treated. They are consumed cooked. The maximum cooking time is 30 minutes. They are ideal for creams and soups, together with other vegetables and rice or as side-dish seasoned with onions and olive oil.
Marketing
The product is sold as Lentille Verte du Berry PGI. It is marketed in appropriate packages.
Distinctive Features
Just the regional production of Lentilles Vertes du Berry PGI is equal to 70% of national production. Such level is possible due to three different factors: podiatric, since the soil is easy to cultivate; human, since farmers improve cultivation techniques; climatic, since during March poor rain allows to lentils enrichment, April and May rain favours seed vegetative development, whereas June dry climate does not favour diseases development reducing the use of phytosanitary products.
