Description
The Pimentón de Murcia PDO is the paprika obtained from milling peppers of Capsicum annum L. species, Bola variety.
Production Area
The production area of peppers to prepare the Pimentón de Murcia PDO includes only lands of the following districts of the Murcia region: Alhama de Murcia, Beniel, Fuente Alamo, Lorca, Molina de Segura, Cartagena, Fortuna, Librilla, Murcia, Puerto Lumbreras, San Javier, Santomera, Torre Pacheco, and Totana.
Production Method
The seeds, extracted from the fruits of precedent picking, are sowed and then planted out starting from April 1st in lands enriched with natural fertilizer. The ripe peppers have a low weight, fleshy seed capsule and green stalk. At the end of the drying process, peppers are milled; the paprika achieved is finally packed.
Appearance and Flavour
The paprika from Pimentón de Murcia PDO, called Cascara, has a sweet flavour characterized by brilliant red with a strong colouring capability. Scent and aroma are strong and characteristic.
History
The history of Pimentón de Murcia PDO has ancient origins: its seeds, which came from Americas, are dated back to the beginning of the 16th century. The introduction of pepper cultivation in the Murcia region is due to missionary monks back from the New World. In the middle of the 19th century, different types of transformed peppers started to be cultivated, due to the brilliant initiative of a lady who tried to season peppers with oil and then to roast them achieving a tasteful product, which was immediately successful on the local market, and then brought to the production of milled Pimentón.
Gastronomy
The Pimentón de Murcia PDO is stored in dry and ventilated rooms. It is used to season different dishes. This spice can be combined perfectly with different types of fish: codfish, dried salted cod and octopuses. In addition, it makes tasteful many dishes like garlic soup, chicken-based dishes, potatoes and other vegetables.
Marketing
The product is sold as Pimentón de Murcia PDO with indication of the market classes Extra or I and of the type of drying: Secado al sol or Secado en secadero. Moreover, the labels Pimientos desrabados, while Pimientos sin rabo or Pimientos sin pedúnculo can be added. The Pimentón de Murcia PDO is generally sold in sealed metal packs which conserve unaltered its characteristic flavour. They can weigh maximum 12 kg for catering use. However, packets of 1 kg and sacks up to 50 kg can be found.
Distinctive Features
The subtropical Mediterranean climate and its salty properties help to give to Pimentón de Murcia PDO its characteristic aroma and taste.