EU publishes bid for ‘Melón de Torre Pacheco-Murcia’ PGI

EU publishes bid for ‘Melón de Torre Pacheco-Murcia’ PGI

The ‘Melón de Torre Pacheco-Murcia’ is a step closer to EU registration as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) with the recent publication of its application by the European Commission.

The “Piel de Sapo” melons subject to the application are said to be held in high regard for characteristics such as their sweetness and consistent texture, which are largely attributed to the climate, soil and human factors where they are grown in the Spanish province of Murcia.

“The mild climate, influenced by the proximity of the sea, is frost-free during the growing season, which means that it is possible to plant the melons early, thus ensuring a long growing season and producing melons that have developed slowly, have a more consistent flesh and keep longer after harvesting.

“Furthermore, the melons ripen during a period when there is a maximum amount of light and little difference between daytime and night-time temperatures, which promotes the development of netting and produces fruit of a better organoleptic quality. Ripening coincides with a period of low rainfall and sunny days, which contributes to the quality of the fruit, as it makes it sweeter. Moreover, temperatures never exceed 35 °C, which could damage the melons, as it would cause burns and make them age more quickly,” the application says.

It also states the melon’s physico-chemical characteristics as:

—   MINIMUM BRIX: 12

—   MINIMUM FLESH FIRMNESS: 2.5 kg/cm2

Read the published application here.