This Alicante Mountain Cherry takes center stage in the gastronomy week Menjars de la Terra, organized by the INFORMACIÓN newspaper with support from the Diputación. It will tour the regions of l’Alcoià, El Comtat and Foia de Castalla next week from March 20 to 24. The focus is on Hilary Calabuig, chair of the Alicante Mountain Cherry PGI Regulatory Board since April 2015, whose leadership shapes the story of this prized fruit.
The recent period has been challenging for growers. Crop irregularities, driven by weather patterns, have made promoting the cherries difficult for consumers to access a consistently high-quality product. Yet the Alicante Mountain Cherry clearly differentiates itself with quality that stands apart from other cherry regions, reinforcing its distinct identity in the market.
Since 1991, Alicante has recognized the exceptional quality of its cherries with a distinctive seal of quality. What value or guarantee does this seal offer to consumers? It signals a standard of excellence that consumers can trust, helping them identify premium fruit amid a crowded field.
The Alicante Mountain Cherry owes its singularity to a production area that remains relatively unknown to many. This proximity to the fruit helps minimize quality loss, as fruit is often harvested during the day, packed at night, and delivered to the consumer the following day, preserving peak flavor and texture.
Locally, the product is highly valued by consumers and remains a source of pride for the Mediterranean region. In Alicante, it enjoys particular recognition. Nationally, the picture is more complex, because other production zones can amplify output, though the Alicante cherry still holds a distinctive prestige. Internationally, the national brand for fruits often carries the weight of general production, and the Alicante cherry is seen as a hallmark of Spanish fruit and vegetable quality.
Even though the campaign started late due to a cold winter, the outlook remains positive. Flowering is progressing well, and barring any unusual weather events, the campaign promises high quality fruit and a strong harvest.
The main challenge facing the Regulatory Council is to promote cultivation in this specific production area. Preserving the landscape and the presence of cherry lands around Mount Alicante is essential, as abandonment of these fields could impact the region’s image and ecological balance.
If the crop proves unprofitable, younger generations might abandon cherry cultivation in the Alicante mountains, leaving older growers to maintain the heritage. A strong emphasis on marketing the cherry’s quality helps ensure its continued appeal and keeps it distinct from other varieties, allowing consumers to understand why it is a different fruit with a unique character.
This initiative shines a light on the province of Alicante and its close-to-home products, demonstrating that local goods with a quality seal offer a compelling choice for consumers who value provenance and flavor. The Mount Alicante cherry is a dried fruit known for its unique taste, best enjoyed fresh; it also enriches a wide range of dishes, enhancing flavors across culinary preparations. For chefs, it is a product to consider using and promoting during the season, which lasts only about two months.
Free activity at Mount Cherry in Alicante
Menjars de la Terra and the Regulatory Council of PGI Cereza de la Montaña de Alicante organize an event to deepen knowledge of this fruit, a true regional treasure. Attendance is open to anyone interested, with a registration requirement. The event is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 20, at the Planes Social Center, Carrer del Mestre Nadal, 2. Registration details are provided by the event organizers at the time of enrollment.
Participants will gather at a nearby field, where Hilario Calabuig, head of the Regulatory Council, will explain the cultivation and hand-picking process to attendees.