Description
The Mele del Trentino PGI refers to the fresh fruit belonging to the species Malus x domestica Borkh, in the following varieties: Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Morgenduft, Renetta, Granny Smith, Pinova.
Production Area
The production area of Mele del Trentino PGI s within the entire territory of the autonomous Province of Trento.
Production Method
The environment and cultivation area of Mele del Trentino PGI are characterised by the climate of the Alpine mountain range, a determining factor that directly influences the quality of the product. The orchard systems – single-axis or multiple trellises – are built following the inclination of the often-sloping land to preserve the landscape. There must be a layer of grass between the rows for soil nourishment and protection from surface erosion. The apples must be picked by hand in the period between July 20th and December 15th. The maximum apple production in the entire production area cannot exceed 96 tonnes per hectare. The Mele del Trentino PGI must then be stored in suitable environments, at a temperature between zero and 10 °C.
Appearance and Flavour
Mele del Trentino PGI are medium-sized and have a white pulp with a typically acidic, balanced and pleasant flavour; the skin is smooth, with the exception of the Renetta variety. The apples are different shapes and colours depending on the variety. The shape ranges from rounded to truncated-conical for the Golden Delicious, Red Delicious and Pinova varieties; rounded for the Gala, Fuji, Morgenduft and Granny Smith; rounded and flattened for the Renetta. The colour varies from green to yellow, at times with a pink band on the Golden Delicious; the Red Delicious, Fuji and Morgenduft varieties are red over a green-yellow background, the Gala and Pinova orange-red to bright red, and the Renetta has a wrinkled-rust coloured skin; the Granny Smith is green, at times with a pink band.
History
Large-scale apple growing began in the second half of the nineteenth century, when Trentino was the southernmost part of the vast Austro-Hungarian Empire. Photographic documents dating back to 1954-1955 are evidence that the reputation of Trentino apples was already recognised on many European, African and Asian markets. Its reputation then established itself among wholesalers in the modern general markets of the 1960s and 70s.
Gastronomy
Mele del Trentino PGI should be kept at a low temperature and it is best to leave them at room temperature for a while before eating them. They are delicious fresh and they are also a basic ingredient in numerous recipes in the Trentino cuisine, especially typical local desserts, including strudel, apple pie and apple pancakes. The acidic flavour of these apples also makes them ideal for using in stews.
Marketing
The product is marketed as Mele del Trentino PGI, in the following varieties: Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Morgenduft, Renetta, Granny Smith, Pinova. The commercial categories are Extra and Prima, while the minimum size of the apples is 65 mm, with the exception of the Gala variety, which is 60 mm. They are sold in packaging or recipients which allow the product to be easily identified. The words Mele del Trentino must appear on the packaging together with the EU logo. The apples can be branded. They are also used in processed products such as dried apples, purées, juices, cider and distillates.
Distinctive Features
Mele del Trentino PGI are high-quality fruit thanks to both the unique climatic characteristics of the production area – temperatures, temperature range, breeze regime - and the fruit growers’ experience and professionalism in adapting traditional cultivation and pruning techniques to the specificities of the harvest year.