"Thanks in part to promotional activities, over the past ten years prickly pears have become part of the shopping list of health-conscious consumers. Demand is increasing year after year, and the areas invested in are growing at the same time. Specifically, this year we will register a 20% increase in volume thanks to the new plantings that will come into full production. We will kick off the Ficodindia dell'Etna PDO season in August," reports Sara Bua, marketing and communications manager at O.P. La Deliziosa.
O.P. La Deliziosa, located on the slopes of Mount Etna, has been historically committed to the promotion of this crop for almost 40 years, investing in research and new solutions to promote the territory and its typical products. The Deliziosa Selection campaign aims to tell the story of Sicilian specialities such as Pesca di Leonforte IGP, Arancia Rossa di Sicilia IGP, Pera coscia dell'Etna, and more.
The cultivation of Etna PDO prickly pears is highly sustainable: plants adapt to arid climates, require less water than other crops, and every part of them is reused, i.e., the fruits, the blades, the flowers, and the peel, thereby reducing waste to a minimum.
"To complete the range, we launched prickly pear juice and pulp. The approval rating and sales test were successful, not only because we are talking about a functional superfood, but also because end consumers are increasingly perceiving the healthiness of prickly pears. A source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, fibre, and 100% natural, they are starting to be present in retail chains in Italy and Spain."
Ficodindia dell'Etna PDO is available between August and November with 'primo fiore', harvested from August to mid-September and characterised by sweet and tasty fruits, and 'secondo fiore' obtained through the traditional method of 'scozzolatura', which stimulates a late second flowering and makes it possible to harvest more valuable, larger fruits from mid-September onwards.
Ficodindia dell'Etna PDO has three main varieties, each boasting unique organoleptic and colour characteristics:
Sulfarina (Yellow): the most widespread, characterised by a yellow flesh, a sweet and deep flavour, and rich in indicaxanthines.
Sanguigna (Red): with a deep red flesh, an aromatic flavour, and rich in betalaines and antioxidants.
Muscaredda (White): with white flesh, rich in indicaxanthins and minerals, a delicate flavour, and much appreciated for its sweetness and texture.
The three colours are not to be understood as an indication of ripeness, which is why information activities are of fundamental importance in order to illustrate to consumers the difference between the varieties that represent the wealth and biodiversity of the Etna territory, which provides consumers with a unique sensory experience thanks to the packed mixes.
Nutritional values and beneficial properties
A true superfood, Ficodindia dell'Etna DOP is much more than just a fruit: it is a powerhouse of health and well-being. Prickly pears are rich in minerals (magnesium, calcium, potassium), fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants, and they contribute to the well-being of the body, helping in the prevention of numerous diseases and promoting metabolic, digestive, and immune health. Numerous international scientific studies confirm the benefits of prickly pears, particularly for those who practise sport:
- Antioxidant and protective properties against oxidative stress;
- Positive Effects on post-exercise cardiovascular markers;
- Support of heart rate variability in athletes;
- Improvement of redox and autonomic responses after taking prickly pear juice
(Source: Osuna-Martínez L. et al., 2014; Khouloud A. et al., 2017; Schmitt L. et al., 2008; Bellafiore M. et al., 2021).
For more information:
O.P. La Deliziosa
Mag. C.da Scirfi sn
95033 Biancavilla (CT) - Italy
+39 (0)95 686762
[email protected]
www.sicilioficodindia.com