Description
Loukoumi Geroskipou PGI is a sugar-based sweetening product produced in various forms depending on which flavouring is added. The almonds and the honey used must be produced in the district of Pafos, but the other raw materials used may come from other production areas.
Production Area
The Loukoumi Geroskipou PGI production area is within the boundaries of Geroskipou municipality, in the district of Pafos.
Production Method
Loukoumi Geroskipou PGI is produced in large pans equipped with a stirrer. The process started by filling a pre-heated pan with water and adding sugar and citric acid. The mixture is boiled for 35 minutes at 100°C and the corn starch is added, dissolved in cold water. The mixture obtained is then stirred for two hours at a temperature of 100-130°C and seasoned with flavourings of various types, such as rose, mandarin orange or mint. In some cases colouring and/or roasted nuts are added, such as almonds, pistachios, walnuts, peanuts or hazelnuts. The edible part of the nuts (kernel) is subjected to visual selection and then is immersed in hot water, peeled, roasted chopped and finally incorporated into the hot mixture in the final mixing phases, shortly before is poured into the moulds. After this addition, the mixture, now dense, is poured into the moulds, where it rests assuming a gelatinous consistency and once cooled, is cut into cubes (rectangular parallelepipeds) which are coated with icing sugar or grated coconut and packaged.
Appearance and Flavour
Loukoumi Geroskipou PGI has a gelatinous texture, a very sweet flavour, and comes in the form of small cubes. It is presented in cubes coated in icing sugar or grated coconut and inside may contain nuts and/ or honey, and/or dark chocolate.
History
The origins of Loukoumi Geroskipou PGI go back to the 19th century, more precisely to 1895, when Sophocles Athanasiou began production which still continues today in the same way and in the same place by his descendents. In 1959 the commercial name Aphrodite was given to this fine product from Geroskipou.
Gastronomy
Loukoumi Geroskipou PGI must be kept in cold storage and removed a few minutes before consumption so that it can soften. This product can be consumed as dessert after a meal or as a sweet snack. In Cyprus is traditionally offered as a wedding triat or served with coffee.
Marketing
The product is sold as Loukoumi Geroskipou PGI, and it is available in various flavours depending on the type of aroma added: rose, strawberry, mandarin, orange, mint, pineapple, bergamot, banana, lemon, pistachio, vanilla, chocolate, coconut and Chios mastic. It is sold packaged in boxes of various shapes weighing 300 gr, 400 gr or 600 gr, which can contain a varied assortment of products or just one single type of Loukoumi Geroskipou PGI.
Distinctive Features
The link between this product and the geographical area of Geroskipou is of an exclusively historical nature, given that the raw materials used are industrial products coming from other production areas, except for the almonds and the honey which are produced in the district of Pafos. However, this has not stopped Loukoumi Geroskipou PGI from achieving great fame, thanks both to the flavour and the high quality of the product maintained through the years.
