"The Sicilian lemon that stays productive even in summer"

"Thanks to targeted communication and the recognised quality of our 'Limone dell'Etna IGP, ' we are present in important big retail outlets and chain shops specialising in organic produce. Since 1 April, as per specifications, we have been harvesting our 'Limone bianchetto' lemons. Our winter lemons are overripe at this stage; moreover, mainly due to the adverse climate and persistent rainfall, the fruits do not have the right shelf-life," report the 'Limone dell'Etna IGP' producer members of the Etna's Business Network.

"The quality of our lemons is, first of all, due to the volcanic soils where they grow and to the benefits that come from the proximity of the sea. We are talking about fruits that flower and fruit all year round, specifically from October to April (Primofiore), from April to June (Bianchetto), and from July to September (the summer lemon called Verdello)."

The Etna's Business Network is made up of companies with a long-standing tradition specialised in citrus fruit cultivation, which have decided to join forces to offer consumers a natural product, available on the market with a wide commercial calendar, with a view to internationalisation. One of the objectives is to strengthen the cooperation between members as well as the processing and marketing network of the fresh produce chain without neglecting the potential and opportunities provided by processing companies.

At present, the network includes associated companies that cover 150 hectares of land with an estimated production of about 5,000 tons of lemons per year, obtained continuously over the course of the four seasons. The fruit is processed in Acireale (CT), in the heart of the 'Limone dell'Etna IGP' production area, in a large citrus fruit selection and packaging facility.

"As mentioned earlier, we are proud of the commercial results achieved by our 'Limone dell'Etna IGP', considering that we are marketing the product in important big retail chains. When it comes to environmental sustainability, we pay the utmost attention to ecological and health issues, so we propose packaging solutions made of recyclable cardboard, biodegradable nets and plastic crates from re-use circuits."

The 'Limone dell'Etna IGP' was added to the European Union's register of protected geographical indications in 2020. The organoleptic characteristics of the fruit are strongly influenced by the proximity to the Ionian Sea and the presence of Mount Etna. Thanks to the favourable temperatures, over the centuries, lemon cultivation spread along the coastal strip of Etna and the immediate hills behind it, in an area between the Alcantara river to the north and the northern boundary of the municipality of Catania to the south.

With regard to derivatives, laboratory tests have shown that Verdello juice boasts higher concentrations of vitamin C, total flavonoids, and phenolic compounds compared to other seasonal productions. The forcing technique makes it possible to have excellent summer lemons in the following season as well, taking advantage of a third induced flowering, which is caused by the resumption of irrigation. More specific aspects have been extensively described in the scientific research carried out by the CREA-OFA of Acireale(CT): "Qualitative and Nutraceutical Aspects of Lemon Fruits Grown on the Mountainsides of Mount Etna" published in Food Research International n.74, April 2015 Elsevier B.V.

© Etna's Terre dei Limoni "We just got back from Menton, where our lemons were the protagonists at the second edition of the Salon International de l'Agrume, hosted in the prestigious Palais de l'Europe in Menton, Côte d'Azur. The event, attended by over 30,000 visitors, brought together producers, chefs, researchers, and enthusiasts from all over Europe to discuss innovation, sustainability, and new applications in the world of citrus fruits, including show cooking, tastings, and conferences. The 'Limone dell'Etna IGP' won over the professional public and visitors and, above all, the event was an important opportunity to make the quality and value of our product known, and to discuss the future challenges of the sector."

For more information:
Etna's Terra dei Limoni
Via Vallone
95024 Acireale (CT)
info@etnasterradeilimoni.it
www.etnasterradeilimoni.it