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Why does the Calanda peach have a DOP?
The Calanda peach is much more than just a delicious fruit; it is a symbol of the agricultural tradition, superior quality and love for the land that characterizes the Aragon region in northeastern Spain.
This fruit, which is grown mainly in the Bajo Aragón region, has gained worldwide fame for its exquisite flavor and the unique techniques used in its cultivation, which guarantee unrivaled quality.
The Land: The Foundation of Your Excellence
The Calanda peach benefits from an exceptional geographical and climatic environment. Bajo Aragón is characterized by its continental Mediterranean climate, with cold winters, hot summers and low humidity. These conditions favor the development of large peaches with a sweet, intense and balanced flavor.
The soil, rich in nutrients, also contributes to the excellence of the fruit.
The Calanda peach stands out for its large size, firm and juicy pulp, and a sweet and balanced flavor. Its long shelf life makes it a preferred choice both for fresh consumption and in gastronomy, being valued by consumers, chefs and restaurants for its exceptional quality.
The "Thinning": Quality before Quantity
One of the most unique techniques used in Calanda peach cultivation is “aclareo” (thinning). This practice involves removing up to 70% of the fruit from each tree during the growing season, leaving only the best peaches to grow larger and tastier. The goal is to concentrate all of the tree’s nutrients into a smaller number of fruits, resulting in peaches of considerable size and with a firm, yet juicy texture.
This approach ensures that only the best peaches reach the market, and that each one meets the standards of excellence expected of a product with the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Peach of Calanda.
Bagging: Perfect Protection and Maturation
Another distinctive aspect of the Calanda peach is the “bagging” process. Around mid-June, when the fruit is still on the tree and is the size of a walnut, each peach is manually covered with a special paper bag. This bagging process, which is carried out one by one, has several functions:
- Protection against pests and external agents: By being covered, the peach is protected from possible insect attacks and other damage, reducing the need to use pesticides.
- Better ripening: The bag acts as a mini greenhouse, allowing slow and homogeneous ripening, which improves the flavour and texture of the fruit.
- Visual quality: The Calanda peach is known for its uniform golden yellow colour, a characteristic achieved thanks to bagging, which protects the fruit from inclement weather and the effects of direct sunlight.
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
Calanda peaches have a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), a recognition that guarantees their origin and the quality of the product. The PDO Calanda Peach certifies that the peaches have been grown, selected and packaged following strict quality standards, and that they come exclusively from the municipalities included in the production area delimited by the regulatory council.
This seal not only protects local producers, but also guarantees consumers that they are acquiring an authentic product, grown with the highest quality standards.