Description
The Aktinidio Pierias PGI is a kiwi fruit belonging to the Actinidiaceae family from the Ericales order, of the Hayward variety.
Production Area
The production area of the Aktinidio Pierias PGI is in the plain of Pieria, which includes several municipal areas of the Pieria prefecture in the region of Central Macedonia.
Production Method
The kiwi fruit harvest takes place from end of October to mid-December, under consideration of the sugar content it should achieve. Harvesting is done by hand with much care, in order not to compromise the fruits' integrity. They are placed in plastic boxes for the transportation to the conditioning centres, where they are kept in refrigerators in a normal or controlled environment, according to the stocking period. Before commercialisation, the kiwi fruits are weighed and selected based on their grading, and successively packaged in boxes.
Appearance and Flavour
The skin of the Aktinidio Pierias PGI is brown and covered with a light down. The pulp is juicy, with a typical delicate scent and a light green colour. It has a well balanced sweetand-sour flavour.
History
The history of Aktinidio Pierias PGI is linked to the events that introduced the kiwifruit in Greece. In fact, the fruit originally comes from China, where today wild varieties can still be found. The name of this fruit is the same as that of a famous bird of New Zealand, which is where the big scale cultivation started. In 1973, the cultivation of this fruit began in the plain of Pieria in Greece, a place to which it has adapted very well, acquiring peculiar qualities.
Gastronomy
The Aktinidio Pierias PGI should be kept in a cool and dry place; it can be frozen and dried. The entire fruit is edible, with the exception of the skin, which is easily removed. The ripe fruit can be eaten whole or in fruit salad; it is furthermore used for the preparation of excellent jams and jellies.
Marketing
The product is sold as Aktinidio Pierias PGI. It is marketed packaged in cardboard boxes with one or more layers.
Distinctive Features
The Aktinidio Pierias PGI is produced in an area with peculiar characteristics, such as a fertile and well drained terrain, well exposed to the sun and with a suitable climate. Furthermore, the area is not exposed to winds or frosts, thanks to the surrounding mountain chains. These factors guarantee optimal conditions for the cultivation of this plant, thus producing fruits with very high organoleptic qualities. Given the particular adaptability demonstrated by the kiwi fruit and the peculiarities acquired by the fruits cultivated in this area, it has been given the symbolic name "fruit of the Olympus", for which it is now famous in all markets.
