Ciliegia di Lari joined the official list of typical Italian products with the PGI certification (protected geographical indication), under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1671 published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 31 August 2023.
Production area. The municipalities of Casciana Terme Lari, Terricciola and Crespina Lorenzana, in the hills of the province of Pisa, Tuscany.
Varieties. Sweet cherries of the species Prunus avium: many commercial cultivars (including Bigarreau Napoleon, Kordia, Lapins, Regina, Sunburst and Van) and a group of historic local ecotypes, such as Crognolo, Cuore, Marchiana, Morella and Papalina.
How it is grown. The trees are grown in specialised or mixed orchards, with a maximum yield of 150 kg per tree. Harvesting is done by hand only, between 1 May and 31 July; the fruit is then sorted and kept in cold storage. For fresh consumption the cherries are sold in sealed packs.
Ciliegia di Lari PGI must have the following characteristics when released for consumption:
– minimum size of 20 mm (13 mm for the local ecotypes)
– glossy skin, ranging from yellow to bright red, dark red and almost black
– flesh from tender to firm and crunchy, depending on the variety
– sugar content of at least 14 °Brix
– sugary, sweet and fruity flavour
History. Cherries have been grown on the hills of Lari since at least the 18th century and for centuries were sold at the historic market under the town’s Logge. The local varieties were described in university studies as early as 1959, and since 1957 the Lari Cherry Festival has been held every June. The designation is overseen by the Comitato per la tutela e la valorizzazione della Ciliegia di Lari.
In the kitchen. It is excellent fresh, on its own. Thanks to its high sugar content it is also ideal for jams and preserves, cakes and tarts, sauces to serve with meat and cheese, and liqueurs.
