Agroaldea
The Cabildo creates the Tenerife Rural brand, so that consumers can recognize them and bet on local products.
The Cabildo of Tenerife wants to conserve and promote the cultivation of the five traditional varieties of onion that exist on the island. To do this, has created the Tenerife Rural quality seal, so that consumers can opt for local products.
The local varieties of onion are those of Guayonje, which is traditionally grown in Tacoronte, El Sauzal and the towns of Tejina and Valle de Guerra, in La Laguna; Los Carrizales, Masca and San Juan de la Rambla, the last of which is the only yellow one, while the others are pinkish or reddish.
The production and sale of these onions is enormous because in Tenerife the cultivated area is around 120 hectares, in which about three thousand tons of onions are produced, both local and commercial calls.
The current production of all types of onions in Tenerife represents approximately 35 percent of the island's supply, explains technician Catalina Tascón.
Sunday Rios, head of service, He stated that the objective of the brand is to differentiate the island's onion, which has special characteristics.
A small amount of local onions are produced in Tenerife, so it is about gaining market share for a product that in some cases has unique characteristics in the world., explains Rios.
Catalina Tascón commented that twelve years ago she began the study of local onion varieties, a product originating from central Asia that was apparently introduced to the Canary Islands after the conquest, since there are no references from the pre-Hispanic era.
He recalled that it is a product that is closely linked to the landscape, to the territory and customs and also local onions are as productive or more productive than commercial ones.
It is a sweet onion, with a relatively short production period, since these varieties are produced from the end of April to August.
Catalina Tascón said that the first thing that stands out is that only one of the varieties is yellow and added that they are very fresh and have a very good balance between the sugars that make them up and the spiciness they produce..