The apples of Florina

The mountain apples of the Florina region are known and famous throughout Greece. Apples have been cultivated in the area since the time of the Turkish occupation, mainly in mountainous and semi-mountainous villages (Akritas – Kleines – Parori etc.). After the liberation, apples began to be cultivated in almost all the villages in the area of the Municipality of Florina (Ammochori – Perasma etc.).
Florina apples are known for their taste and aroma, stand out for their intense color (red or yellow depending on the variety), their hard, juicy and crunchy flesh, their sweet and sour taste and their rich nutritional value ( e.g. in vitamins A and C, as well as fiber). This is due to the altitude of the prefecture (600-750 m.) and the soil-climatological conditions of the area (low temperatures, high humidity, sandy loamy acid soils, etc.). In addition, the soils of the area contain a significant amount of organic matter and contribute decisively to the proper growth of the trees and the completion of the normal fruit ripening cycle. Their texture, taste and aroma are preserved throughout their disposition.
The varieties that are mainly cultivated are Golden, Red Delicious, Starkin kai Imberial. Florina apples are mainly used for table consumption.

TEXT: Christos Tegos