An international twinning
Several months ago we told you about the realization of an international twinning project with a small clue, the Scottish flag … 🏴
In recent days the project has seen its complete definition in conjunction with the Slow Food Scotland Annual General Meeting which took place at Errichel Cottages in Aberfeldy in the Southern Highlands (also home to a renowned distillery that produces the homonymous whiskey much appreciated among enthusiasts).
The project, called ARK OF TASTE ORCHARD, as part of the relationship of friendship and collaboration that we have for some time with Slow Food Glasgow, has drawn inspiration and form from our now consolidated and appreciated “Adopt an Olive Tree” and aims to support and to protect the biodiversity of some species of Scottish fruit trees present in the Slow Food Ark of Taste, by planting an orchard of these specific varieties through the support of adoptions.
But what is the Ark of Taste and what does it do?
The Ark of Taste of the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity collects products that belong to the culture, history and traditions of the entire planet, signaling their existence and denouncing the risk that they may disappear.
Agri-food biodiversity and family and small-scale agriculture are in fact in danger all over the world, due to the industrialization of agriculture, the transformation of food styles, climate change and the abandonment of rural areas.
The Ark invites everyone to do something: sometimes it is necessary to rediscover these products, bringing them back to the tables, sometimes it is simply necessary to tell about them and support the producers.
What does this international twinning project with Slow Food Scotland consist of?
The orchard planted in Aberfeldy occupies an area of about one hectare and is now full of young trees adopted by Slow Food members and supporters, including ours … 😜
In fact, the collaboration project between us and Slow Food Scotland provided for the mutual adoption of a tree. We have adopted an apple tree of the Beauty of Moray variety, while the olive tree adopted by Slow Food Scotland is a beautiful Leccino olive tree that has recently been pruned and is starting to prepare for flowering.
The Beauty of Moray apple variety is an ancient Scottish cooking apple, documented from 1883. It produces elegant small pink buds, admired for their beauty (hence the name of the variety). The fruit is medium in size, with a shiny green skin and a sour taste. The fruit is ready in September. The pulp, due to its sour taste, should be cooked with the addition of a natural sweetener (for example honey .. and we at Puro Carmignano have some good ones … 😉).
The result is a creamy and foamy puree, perfect for cooking apple sauces suitable to accompany dishes such as pork, as well as sweets or dessert tarts and to make delicious jams.
By now, as also happens in Italy, modern varieties tend to be favored rather than the characteristic varieties of dessert apples with a strong culinary vocation, and it is for this reason that their production must be supported in order not to risk losing this inestimable value which is biodiversity.
Next Steps …
Surely this collaboration with Slow Food Scotland and in particular with the Slow Food group of Glasgow will soon lead to new ideas and projects, always in compliance with those principles of good, clean and fair that distinguish our production and life philosophy, and of which we will surely give you the news … STAY TUNED !!
In the meantime, if you want to learn more about the Scottish project, this is the link:
Slow Food Glasgow ARK of TASTE ORCHARD
Then, if you want to find out how to create a unique bond with Tuscany, with our beautiful Carmignano, supporting an agriculture that protects the territory …
… find out how to adopt one of our olive trees:
