Description
Limone dell’Etna PGI is a fresh citrus fruit deriving from the Femminello cultivar and its clones, as well as the Monachello cultivar, belonging to the botanical species Citrus limon L. Burm. It is available in the following varieties: Femminello Primo Fiore, Femminello Bianchetto or Maiolino, Femminello Verdello (or summer lemon), Monachello Primo Fiore, Monachello Bianchetto or Maiolino, Monachello Verdello (or summer lemon).
Production Area
The production area of Etna Lemon PGI is within the territory of 16 municipalities situated along the Ionian-Ethnian strip in the Province of Catania, in the Sicily region.
Production Method
Limone dell’Etna PGI is grown in soil of volcanic origin that comprises a combination of aspects rarely found in other lemon-growing areas. One of the specificities that is only present in this area, linked to the permeability of the soil, is the centuries-old cultivation technique known as “forzatura” or “secca”, used by local producers to produce fruit (known as “verdelli”) in the summer, which involves the forced suspension of irrigation for a specific period of time. The lemons must be harvested by hand, with the aid of secateurs for cutting the stalk. Limone dell’Etna PGI can be grown on plantations managed according to the conventional method of integrated and organic production. The start of the harvest varies according to the variety: September 15th for Femminello Primo Fiore; October 15th for Monachello Primo Fiore; April 1st for Femminello Bianchetto and Monachello Bianchetto; May 15th for Femminello Verdello and Monachello Verdello.
Appearance and Flavour
Limone dell’Etna PGI has different characteristics depending on the variety. Femminello Primo Fiore weighs no less than 90 g; it is an elliptical shape and the colour of the peel and pulp range from light green to citrine yellow. Femminello Bianchetto or Maiolino also weighs no less than 90 g; it is an elliptical or ovoid shape with a light yellow peel and yellow pulp. Femminello Verdello (or summer lemon) weighs no less than 80 g; it is an elliptical-spheroidal shape, with a green to light yellow peel and light green to citrine yellow pulp. The Monachello Primo Fiore variety weighs no less than 90 g; it is an elliptical shape, with light green to citrine yellow peel and light green to citrine yellow pulp. The Monachello Bianchetto or Maiolino variety weighs no less than 90 g; it is an elliptical or ovoid shape, with light yellow peel and yellow pulp. The Monachello Verdello (or summer lemon) weighs no less than 80 g; it is an elliptical-spheroidal shape, with a green to light yellow peel and light green to citrine yellow pulp. Due to the presence of citral, all varieties of Limone dell’Etna PGI have a characteristic lemon taste. The juice of all the varieties is a citrine yellow colour.
History
References to the cultivation of this Sicilian product par excellence have been found in literature for over two centuries. In the famous 1894 novel I Viceré, the author Federico De Roberto wrote about the land reclamation and search for water by "digging the centuries-old Mongibello lava", in order to plant oranges and lemons.
Gastronomy
Limone dell’Etna PGI must be stored in the refrigerator or in a cool, dry place. It can be consumed fresh or used in numerous recipes. In addition to being a flavouring, it is also used as a base ingredient for water ices, ice cream, desserts and beverages, as well as for therapeutic purposes. Its juice is typically used in the traditional drink of the Catania coast, consisting of soda, lemon and salt.
Marketing
The product is marketed as Limone dell’Etna PGI, in the following varieties: Femminello Primo Fiore, Femminello Bianchetto, Femminello Verdello, Monachello Primo Fiore, Monachello Bianchetto, Monachello Verdello, both fresh – in the Extra and First categories in sizes 3, 4, 5 and 6 – and for processing, also with different categories, sizes, classes, peel colour, shape and weight. It can be sold in any type of packaging that is in compliance with current legislation, or "loose"; 100% of the fruit sold "loose" must have a brand sticker.
Distinctive Features
Limone dell’Etna PGI stands out for the superior characteristics of the essential oils obtained from the fruit, and for the juice’s valuable chemical-physical characteristics deriving from the high content of citral.
