The Friulian apple obtained D.O.P. certification in 1992. On June 27, 2003, on the initiative of Peter Larcher, the "Association for the D.O.P. Certification of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Apple" was established.
THE CHARACTERISTICS From flattened globose to conical globose, even asymmetrical or conical, the distinctive elements that differentiate the "Mela del Friuli Venezia Giulia" PDO from those from other geographical areas are both phenological and organoleptic. The flesh is sweet and flavorful with a very broad and original aromatic spectrum, where hints of vanilla, banana, melon and unripe plum emerge.
Apple cultivation has been present in the territory of Friuli Venezia Giulia for over two thousand years. As early as the 1st century BC, an indigenous variety called "Matiana" was cultivated in the countryside of the city of Aquileia and reached the markets of Rome where it was highly appreciated. Evidence of this can be found in the writings of the Greek Athenaeus, Columella in "De re rustica," Macrobius Theodosius and Caius Suetonius Tranquillus, the Edict of Diocletian, the Emperor’s dietary diet and the extremely valuable mosaic "Asaraton of Aquileia" (1st century BC).
Further historical evidence of the spread of the apple tree in Friuli Venezia Giulia comes from agrarian leases, linguistic terminologies in the Friulian language, mentions in local literature, in a series of frescoes dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, and in the 15th-century iconography of the "Homeland of Friuli." In 1450 Maestro Martino da Como, cook of the Patriarchs of Aquileia invented the "frictelle de poma" or "frittelle ex pomis" (apple fritters) along with other recipes that would become the basis of traditional Friulian dishes handed down to this day. From the "Annals of Agriculture" (ministerial publications of the 19th century) it can be seen that in Friuli there were very vocated areas where the towns were called "the apple towns" and the fruits were exported even to Egypt and Austria.
In the last fifty years, apple growing in Friuli has developed while maintaining a balanced and high quality dimension. Historical information regarding the origins of the product called "Mela del Friuli Venezia Giulia" demonstrates the generalized suitability of the Friuli region. The Friuli region is characterized by geographic, climatic and pedological elements not found in other apple production areas and such as to characterize in a typical and exclusive way the apples obtained there. The orographic arrangement of the mountain ranges and the presence, at a short distance, of the sea characterize the climate in a decisive way and have conditioned the production of the agrarian soil. The varieties proposed for certification are those of which it has been possible to ascertain an established presence in the Friuli area(during the last 25 years): namely, Zeuka, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Morgenduft, Granny Smith, Gala.
(taccuinistorici.it)
