Best Southeastern European Fruit Product Types
Magiun de prune Topoloveni is a concentrated spread with a shiny surface made in the town of Topoloveni and the surrounding villages, from local, fully ripe, top-quality dark plums which are boiled over for a long time during the concentration phase.
The plums contain high amounts of carbohydrates, natural sugar, and vitamin C because of their ripeness. The only ingredient in the product is the plum, and although it may seem that the plum skins are missing from the jam, they are incorporated into it in order not to lose precious nutrients, fibre and vitamins.
These dried grapes (sultanas) are produced exclusively from Sultanina grapes. This variety replaced the local Cretan varieties of grapes in the early 20th century, when refugees from Asia Minor arrived and began cultivating Sultanina grapes using their traditional skills and knowledge.
Due to the island's low level of precipitation and long hours of sunshine in July and August, these grapes have an extremely high sugar concentration. The grapes are harvested from mid-August through mid-September and are put to dry immediately after they are picked.
These large dried figs are made from Traganika variety figs grown exclusively in the municipality of Kymi on the island of Evia. The fig tree of this local variety has hardly any natural pests, which means it can be organically fertilized and requires no pesticides.
Kymi figs are harvested from August until the end of September. They are gathered when fully ripe and placed in wooden baskets called 'telara'. They are processed in special chambers using sulphur vapors and cut in half, and are then left to dry naturally in the sun for 4 to 5 days.
This variety of raisin has been produced since the 13th century in the ancient city of Aigio in the northern Peloponnese, on the hills overlooking the Gulf of Corinth. The Corinthian raisin is made from small, sweet, seedless grapes of the black Vostizza variety that have been dried naturally in the open air.
These raisins are sorted manually and cleaned several times before final packaging, and they are sometimes glossed with vegetable oil to make them shinier. Corinthian raisins are very small and have an intense flavor, with an almost 75% sugar content.
Internationally marketed under the name Zante currants and also known as Corinthian raisins, Stafida Zakynthou are dried berries of the small, sweet, seedless grape cultivar called Black Corinth, grown and sun-dried naturally on the island of Zakynthos from the 16th century.
The exceptional quality of these raisins is a result of the special soil and climate conditions on the island where long hours of sunshine and high temperatures during the summer contribute to their high sugar content and to their characteristic sweet flavor.
This variety of raisin is produced from black wine grapes in Ilia prefecture, where they have been produced since the beginning of the 14th century. These raisins owe their special characteristics to the excellent soil and weather conditions in the region.
This sweet grape variety can be harvested in August, earlier than other grapes. They are also rounder, more uniform in shape and have a deep black color. There are two methods of drying used in Ilia – one is to directly expose the grapes to the sun on special surfaces called alonia, and the other is to dry them in the shade on special frames, which takes longer but produces raisins with superior color.
These dried figs of the Smyrna variety are produced in the villages of Taxiarchis, Neos Pyrgos, Agios Georgios, Orei, Istiaia, Kamaria, and Kastaniotissa in the northern part of the island of Euboea. The area benefits from the neighboring mountains and the Aegean Sea breeze, and it enjoys a favorable Mediterranean climate with long hours of sunshine, which gives the succulent, thin-skinned Taxiarchi figs a particularly sweet flavor.
They are carefully hand picked in August and then slowly dried under the sun, which coaxes out a wonderful light yellow color and an intense honey-caramel aroma. Taxiarchi figs make for an excellent all-day snack, but they can also be enjoyed chopped into salads or as an appetizer with cheese and cold cuts.
Bestilj is a traditional Bosnian plum preserve. This thick, richly flavored preserve is created by slowly cooking plums over low heat for several hours, allowing the fruit to break down into a dense, dark, and glossy spread. Bestilj is typically made with minimal or no added sugar, relying on the natural sweetness of the plums, resulting in a slightly tart taste.
The final product is often used as a spread on bread, a filling for pastries, or enjoyed on its own as a sweet treat. It holds significant cultural importance, particularly as a way to preserve plums for the winter months, and is traditionally made in the fall during the plum harvest.
Best Southeastern European Fruit Product Producers
ERIZA is a jam producer based in Kalamata, Greece. They are known for utilizing locally sourced, high-quality fruits in their products. The company emphasizes traditional methods of jam-making, preserving the natural flavors and nutritional value of the fruits.
Their product line includes a variety of flavors, catering to both domestic and international markets.
Citrus Aroma Mnimis is a producer of marmalade and other citrus-based products based in Chios, Greece. The company focuses on showcasing the unique flavors of the island's citrus fruits. They use traditional recipes and locally sourced ingredients to create their products.
The company's product line includes marmalades, spoon sweets, and liqueurs. They emphasize sustainability and environmentally friendly production practices.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023, 2021

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
BEST Citrus Aroma Mnimis Fruits (types and products)
Best Southeastern European Fruit Products
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
The product "CHIOS MANDARIN PEEL SPOON SWEET" is crafted by Citrus Aroma Mnimis P. C., a company known for producing high-quality Greek traditional sweets. This unique delicacy features the peel of Chios mandarins, prepared in a way that preserves their natural aroma and flavor.
The mandarin peels are candied and then preserved in a sweet syrup, making them ideal for enjoying as a dessert or as a topping for other dishes. This spoon sweet is part of a rich Greek tradition where fruits are preserved in sugar, and it highlights the distinctive citrus notes of the Chios mandarin.
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023
AWARDS

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2021
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