Un dried fruit The one that gains prominence as a dessert or snack in a specific region of Malaga is the raisin. Come back for Christmas to the tables of the inhabitants of the region of the Axarquía, although raisins from Malaga, with a Denomination of Origin even, they are also produced in another area of the province. After the harvest and go through several processes, among which the so-called «sunning»A very unique product is born. We will reel it to you in full here!
Pasification, recognized industry
To talk about this particular dried fruit whose process of obtaining is not at all comparable to that of other common nuts such as almond or pistacho, we must start by citing the industry parade. But not just any one but the one that maintains its tradition in Málaga. Exactly in the western part of the Axarquía, where a variety of peoples are dedicated to producing this food. Among the mountainous geography of the territory, the landscapes of vineyards cultivated in pending earrings.
All those vines that about a thousand winegrowers work in a traditional and artisanal way nourish the wine sector. raisin. One that has great relevance not only in the rural Malaga region itself but also worldwide. Because it has been declared as Important World Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS). This recognition granted by FAO justifies the weight of the raisin industry in agriculture, the economy, culture, environmental biodiversity and even the sustainability of the area.
The genuine Raisins of Malaga with DO
Within the pasero world this product has a special and unique importance. In the case of a gourmet pass and even PremiumIt is quite different from others on the market. The main characteristics that define the Raisins from Malaga are marked by the DO that protects them for their integrated production in Malaga territory. Whether in the aforementioned region of the Axarquía (covering more than 30 municipalities) or in the area of Manilva, which includes Casares and Estepona as well.
It is a genuine product because it is born from Muscat of Alexandria grape variety that has been dried in the sun when said fruit is ripe. That is a key part that allows you to get a pass from big size, rounded in shape and with a purplish or matte black color. It also usually presents its characteristic peduncle if the shelling is completed only by hand, as tradition dictates.
As for its flavor when tasted, it maintains the essence of its origin with that memory of its grape but also intense aromas appear. aromatic herbs, geranium, rose and citrus. It is a food sour-sweet with an elastic texture and juicy pulp that inside offers very small seeds with interesting nutritional values. Without a doubt, this is another point of differentiation with respect to other raisins.
The sun is the protagonist and key
To obtain a high quality raisin with those qualities described, its process of elaboration it's a funny thing. Or, at least, one of its phases in which the solar star which acts as a key element in a completely ritual natural. Behind the vintage of the vineyards (by hand and having to climb important slopes in the Axarquía area) the «devastated«. This consists of letting the grape bunches harvested in structures built specifically for this purpose to dry in the sun. They are called «pass you by«.
There receiving the solar rays and turning them over, the grapes remain for about two weeks or less until they look good toast, adopting much of its essence. Then, they are transferred to what are known as «wineries«, Some country houses where farmers dedicated to this dried fruit live. They are in charge of cutting each cluster by hand in a phase of shelled (call "chopped") which can also be carried out in industries using machines. In this second case it would no longer be a completely handmade process.
The last steps are already taking place precisely in the parade industry, where the raisins are sort by size and the packages are made for their final packaging. This last process can be manual or mechanized. Then you can find the product in cases or bags for your enjoyment.
We invite you to try the raisins from Malaga With DO this Christmas because surely on your palate you will savor the difference of a luxury dried fruit with a great link to the territory.
