Since almost 1300 years, high quality apples are cultivated in South Tyrol
This region is the largest contiguous apple cultivation area in Europe and it is composed of over 18,000 hectares.
Warm, sunny days and cool nights create the ideal conditions for the cultivation of the South Tyrolean apples. The fruit production is very small scaled, more then 7.000 family operations each work an average of just 2,5 hectares of cultivated area.
South Tyrol produces around a million metric tons of apples every years, that means approximately 10% of European production and 50 % of the Italian one.
Golden Delicious, Gala, Red Delicious, Braeburn, Fuji, Granny Smith, Morgenduft, Jonagold, Elstar, Winesap, Idared, Pinova and Topaz are the 13 apple varieties that carry the European PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) quality seal, that guarantees that soil, trees and fruit are cared for in a protective and environmentally conscious manner and that cultivation follows traditional rules.
Apples are rich in vitamins, minerals, fruit acids, pectin and carbohydrates and they constitute a valuable component of our diet being low in calories.
They can be used as an ingredient for recipes in many different ways: they are perfect for strudel, the typical South Tyrolean cake, juices, jams, spirits but also for delicious appetizers or main course.
Thanks to Consorzio Mela Alto Adige IGP.