This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Un producto manchego aún por descubrir
The Protected geographical indication 'Las Pedroñeras Purple Garlic' is the second of the fruit and vegetable sector of Castilla - La Mancha, together with the Aubergine from Almagro (Ciudad Real). It distinguishes the garlic from the area of cultivation which are marketed by companies handling and packaging based in the townships of La Alberca de Záncara, Mota del Cuervo, Las Pedroñeras, El Provencio, San Clemente and Santa María del Campo Rus.
The purple garlic from Las Pedroñeras has its main center of production in the area bounded by the towns of Las Pedroñeras, La Alberca de Záncara, Mota del Cuervo, El Provencio, Santa María del Campo Rus and St. Clement, located in the province of Cuenca, in the natural region of la Mancha Baja. From this nucleus, the farmers "ajeros" move to lease new lands, whose conditions in terms of altitude, soil type, irrigation facilities and climatic conditions are similar, allowing a wide crop rotation, which has made the cultivation spread to the surrounding regionslocated in the provinces of Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca and Toledo La Mancha Castilian.
Thus, the area of production, handling and packaging is today composed of 227 localities belonging to the natural region of La Mancha, stain, stain high Mancha Baja, Manchuela and Centre, belonging to the provinces of Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca and Toledo, in the autonomous community of Castile - La Mancha, Spain.
Breeding ground of the purple garlic from Las Pedroñeras.
The area of production, handling and packaging is today composed of 227 localities belonging to the natural region of La Mancha, stain, stain high, lower Mancha, Manchuela and Center
The protection of the garlic purple as a challenge
The PGI purple garlic from Las Pedroñeras
He is a figure of food quality recognised by the European Union, which provides our purple garlic, of international protection who did not have, thus recognizing their prestige, reputation and uniqueness. This quality label distinguishes in the market and consumers Purple Garlic obtained by producers in plots and manufactured by companies registered in the records of the indication.
With the label and the label of the PGI is intended, inter alia, protect and promote the Purple Garlic
resulting in this territory and, also, that the producers and
marketing companies, to have an instrument to increase volumes and improve price levels. To this end, both producers and companies, have committed to apply and develop techniques of production, handling, storage and marketing, based on principles of good food and agricultural practices, which allow to increase and improve current levels of food security.
Association IGP purple garlic from Las Pedroñeras
In 2010 the Association IGP garlic purple of Las Pedroñeras, with businesses and industries was created with activity in the production, processing and trade in garlic, as promoters. La Association happens to
the until now sustentadora and management of the IGP, the regulatory Council Foundation and its Board of Trustees, launching is a new entity with mood Integrator, representation of interprofessional and joint, nature without spirit of profit, and structure of Government and agile technique. Its mission is to favour life throughout the world the purple garlic from Las Pedroñeras, promoting its marketing and expansion in the markets, as well as protection, prestige and promoting research of garlic.
Promotion campaign in 2011
The PGI purple garlic from Las Pedroñeras has adopted to develop an ambitious programme of promotional activities in order to get both the consumer and homemaker and the professional sector of the distribution and sale in 2011.
In order to clearly communicate the benefits and specifics of the purple garlic from las Pedroñeras, the President of the Association Purple Garlic IGP of Las Pedroñeras, José Suárez, noted that his work is "first of all, have a greater presence in the media written"", digital castellano-manchegos, national, national and general practitioners specialized in agri-food and gastronomy on matters related to the activity of the IGP and the Purple Garlic". To this end, has also set up the operation of a new website (www.igpajomorado.es), with the diffusion through it, of animated news bulletins, news, latest actions of the IGP, innovative results of scientific research the benefits of garlic in the health-oriented, etc.
The highlight of the actions of promotion to be in 2011 will be the organization in Madrid of the first National Congress of the purple garlic with the participation of experts in medicine, gastronomic University, experts in nutrition and critical teachers to analyse and disseminate the characteristics of the product. A first preview of programme includes, among others, talks and lectures on the purple garlic and health; Purple Garlic and the prevention of cardiovascular disease; presence of garlic in the recipe castellano-manchego; garlic and three cultures; socio-economic importance of garlic in Castilla - La Mancha, etc.
Poster of the new campaign of promotion launched by the IGO purple garlic from Las Pedroñeras.
Spain is one of the main world producers of garlic, with an estimated production in the year 2009, 154,000 tonnes
Specific characteristics of the purple garlic from Las Pedroñeras
The indigenous ecotype 'Purple of Las Pedroñeras' (belonging to the variety 'Morado de Cuenca'), is the bulb of the species ' Allium sativum l. ', which is preserved by the IGP. The ecotype 'Las Pedroñeras purple' is a variety adapted to the particular climatic conditions and soil found in the geographical area where it is cultivated, and which takes its name from Las Pedroñeras. This ecotype, still having the same genetic characteristics of the variety to which it belongs, presents a morphological and physiological differences in their development are due to the physical environment.
The plant of the ecotype has a moderate force, with a maximum height between 80 and 85 centimeters. It reaches a thickness at the base of the stem of 15 millimetres in diameter. It develops between 12 and 14 sheets with a width of 3 and 3.3 cm. It is upright, with well-developed scape. Leaf color is bright green. Their development cycle is medium: 190 days under normal conditions of planting and cultivation. Planting takes place between the months of December and January, and the collection, between the months of June and July.
The bulb or head of the purple garlic from Las Pedroñeras has round or spherical shape and size medium, with external tunics so lining white or little tinted, with stretch marks. The internal robes which protect the teeth have a characteristic intense violet or purple color, and also have stretch marks.The teeth are small/medium sized with Crescent and meat of blanco-amarillento color.
The purple garlic from Las Pedroñeras contains qualitatively and quantitatively a greater proportion of composite organosulfurados.
Some scientific studies have shown that, compared to garlic from other sources, Las Pedroñeras purple contains qualitatively and quantitatively a greater proportion of composite organosulfurados of low molecular weight, very volatile and high reactivity, sulfur-rich, iodine and silica, with an interesting pharmacological activity and, in particular, allicin, primarily responsible for the smell and taste of garlic. The purple garlic from Las Pedroñeras has a strong odor and taste spicy and stimulating. These characteristics are perceived in a sharper way to cut the tooth, freeing the light compounds described above.
