“This spring in Sicily is being characterized by the interest of the Japanese market for the lemon groves on the eastern part of the island. Thanks to the collaboration between Agrumi-Gel and Japanese multinational Sc Foods Co. Ltd., we started talks with the R&D department of Suntoy, which came to Sicily to assess the groves and their characteristics and compare the peculiarities of our Sicilian lemons. The objective is to convey the history and culture of Sicilian lemons to the Japanese markets of reference, considering that Suntory produces water, beer, beverages and alcohol-based products," explains Salvatore Imbesi, manager at Agrumi-Gel, a well-known brand specializing in the processing of citrus fruit, pomegranates and summer fruit.
“After testing various lemon products (juice, essential oil, peel), the interest of Suntory focused mainly on a particular Sicilian lemon know as Limone Costa Tramontana, which is grown by O.P. Consorzio APAM. We informed the Japanese delegation of the application for the PGI mark. The delegation then visited the Consorzio di Torrenova (ME) facility to see the groves. The Limone Tramontana peel could be used to obtain an artisanal limoncello which, in case of approval by the Group, would be commercialized on the Japanese market with the flavor characteristics that meet the preferences of Asian consumers."
Carmelo Micale, president of OP Consorzio APAM inTorrenova (ME), Salvatore Imbesi, manager of Agrumi-Gel with Suntory's R&S team during a visit to a lemon grove in eastern Sicily
"We visited the processing facility at Fratelli Pistone Srl in Belpasso (CT) where spirits and liqueurs are produced. The brothers Giuseppe and Angelo Pistone, who run the company, are historic producers of liqueurs, grappa, rosolio and liqueur creams obtained from local raw materials. Italy has always been considered one of the leading nations when it comes to liqueur and the preparation of beverages from the maceration of citrus fruit, spices and various herbs."
“The project aims at the promotion and commercialization of products made with Limone Costa Tramontana. We are talking about a structured chain that deserves a clear position due to the unique characteristics of the fruit, and we are hoping to obtain the PGI mark soon. Agrumi-Gel will provide its support to help the territory grow and promote the products that characterize its biodiversity. While waiting for the recognition of the PGI mark, OP Consorzio APAM is anyway focusing on the promotion of a large-scale branding policy on both domestic and foreign markets."
Some information on Limone Costa Tramontana:
The PGI mark for Limone Costa Tramontana is reserved to lemon fruits (Fam; Rutacee; Gen: Citrus; Sp.Limon); cv. Femminello comune. Upon entering the market, "Limone Costa Tramontana IGP" must have the following characteristics:
Average grade between 120 and 250 g (grade 4,3,2);
Shape: oval, with a slightly pronounced umbo and a shallow stem joint; epicarp: thin and smooth with distended oil glands; color: matte green to yellow at the start of ripening, and yellow with matte green ends on physiological maturity.
Flesh: yellow, average deliquescent with very few or no pips.
Juice: citrine yellow color with yields not below 25%, acidity (grams of anhydrous citric acid in 100 grams of juice) below 7.4 and Brix level above 6.
Production area:
The production area of Limone Costa Tramontana is in the Messina province (Italy) and is naturally bordered to the south by the Nebrodi mountain range and to the north by the Tyrrhenian coast between the Gulf of Milazzo and Fiumara di Tusa (the so-called “Costa Tramontana”). The area includes the following municipalities: Acquedolci, Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, Brolo, Capo d'Orlando, Caprileone, Caronia, Falcone, Furmari, Gioiosa Marea, Milazzo, Mirto, Naso, Oliveri, Patti, Pettineo, Piraino, Reitano, San Salvatore di Fitalia, Santa Lucia del Mela, Sant'Agata di Militello, Sant'Angelo di Brolo, Santo Stefano di Camastra, Sinagra, Terme Vigliatore and Torrenova.
For further information:
Agrumi-Gel S.r.l.
C.da Girotta
98051 - Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto (ME)
(+39) 090 9707330
(+39) 329 354 0163
[email protected]
www.agrumigel.it