Mantarina Arakapa - Mandarins from Arakapas
Μανταρίνια Αρακαπά. Πηγή: Άδεια δημοσίευσης από Υπ. Γεωργίας
The Arakapas mandarin tree is also known as the 'Cypriot' or 'local' mandarin tree.
Name - Origin
Arakapa mandarins are cultivated mainly in the area of the village of Arakapas in the Limassol district and are produced from the variety of the species Citrus reticulata Blanco. This mandarin tree is also known as the 'Cypriot' or 'local' mandarin tree which is famous for its fruit, altough, it carries a large number of seeds. The medium-sized fruit is yellowish-orange in colour when ripe. The rind is smooth and thin and easily peeled (T. Kapari-Isaia, 2006).
The name derives from the region where this variety is mainly cultivated.
Method of production: Arakapa mandarins are ripe in December-March. This variety is perfectly adapted to the soil and climate conditions of the semi-mountainous area of the villages around Arakapas. The foliage of the tree is very resistant to low winter temperatures. A characteristic feature of the variety is that it exhibits a pronounced phenomenon of interannualisation, i.e. overproduction in one year and very low production in the subsequent year. In order to counteract this phenomenon and thus increase the size of the fruit, it is recommended that the fruit be pruned and thinned out in the year of overproduction.
Functional and symbolic role
Consumed fresh and also used for fresh juice, mandarin squash, liqueur, etc.
Additional information and bibliography
The Arakapa mandarin tree was introduced in Cyprus in 1870 (Pavlides, 1986). According to P. Gennadios (1959), the first person to introduce this mandarin tree to Cyprus was called Yousouf Efendis and, thus, in earlier times the tree was known by his name.
Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Agriculture (2010).Gastronomic Map of Cyprus, Nicosia, Press and Information Office 379.
Stalo Lazarou
Traditional Recipes
Mandarináda - Mandarin Squash
A refreshing summer drink that can be easily prepared at home and stored for a long time. For the preparation of mandarin squash, the juice of Arakapa mandarins is boiled together with sugar in equal…