The hidden treasures of the Greek earth

Greece has recently submitted a request for the inclusion of the name “afrina” in the list of PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) products of the European Union.

This is the 114th Greek food that has laid claim for a place among the separate list of European products that are distinguished for their uniqueness. Afrina, for those who do not know, is a special type of sea salt with rich trace elements that is produced exclusively in Alykes Messolonghi.

The microclimate created by Alykes, in combination with the traditional harvest that is done manually, give the product unique characteristics. Similar treasures are hidden in many other areas of Greece.

In addition to a series of olive oils and cheeses (with the most typical case of feta), Chios mastic, Santorini tomato and fava beans, Lemnos basket cheese, Kalloni sardines, Ikaria honey known as “Lighting”, the melekouni of Rhodes, the giant beans – elephants of Kastoria, the pomegranates of Ermioni, the artichokes of Iria and many more. Nowhere in the world is there such a phenomenon. So much food wealth concentrated in such a small area of ​​land.

Global recognition

The high nutritional value and the unique taste that characterize Greek products make them unparalleled worldwide. From tourists to famous chefs abroad, whoever tastes them for the first time immediately realizes their quality and superior taste. The key to exploiting the enormous potential offered by the above products, as reported by market participants, is to draw up a comprehensive and compact promotion and development plan.

It is also necessary to create a roadmap for the systematic promotion of PDO / PGI products to the international audience, which will put an end to the fragmentary and fruitless efforts of the past, while it is considered necessary to link gastronomy with tourism.

Extroversion

An aspect that, as market people say, needs to be put on a new footing and on a different kind of approach, much more professional and targeted.

Finally, the processing is characterized by focusing on extroversion, in order to multiply the benefits for the national economy, while the role of the fight against the phenomena of falsification and falsification, which are on the rise lately with focus on the most famous Greek cheese, feta.

The leadership of the Ministry of Rural Development (see article by the Minister of Rural Development) states that it is determined to invest in PDO / PGI products, while adopting a stricter and fairer operational framework while emphasizing that it continues to take initiatives for their protection outside Greece, against counterfeit products.