C 309/10
4.
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
16.8.2022
Concise definition of the geographical area The geographical area of production of the bananas covered by ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI is the archipelago of the Canary Islands and it comprises all agricultural land situated below 500 metres above sea level.
5.
Link with the geographical area
a)
Specificity of the geographical area The Canary Islands archipelago is situated off the northwest coast of Africa, between 27o 37' and 29o 25' north.
This location, combined with the trade winds and the cool Canary current, results in a climate classified as humid subtropical, with mild temperatures and low rainfall.
The average temperatures are fairly uniform throughout the year.
On the coast, the average is around 20 oC, but at higher altitudes temperatures drop significantly and the daily fluctuation increases.
The mild temperatures and wet winds that blow over the islands are a decisive factor in the slow development of the plant and longer ripening time, and have a considerable impact on the distinguishing characteristics of ‘Plátano de Canarias’.
b)
Specificity of the product ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI bananas are oblong in shape, with a pronounced curve, a minimum length of 14 cm, a minimum thickness of 27 mm, an intense, sweet taste and brown flecks on the skin.
These flecks are the identifying feature and main characteristic whereby consumers recognise ‘Plátano de Canarias’.
Technically, the flecks on the skin are caused by the activity of certain specific enzymes, especially polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase.
In the supporting study that accompanies the ‘Plátano de Canarias’ PGI application, the data for these parameters for ‘Plátano de Canarias’ is compared to that for bananas grown elsewhere, and it is clear that the values for peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity in ‘Plátano de Canarias’ are much higher than in bananas grown elsewhere and this is why ‘Plátano de Canarias’ bananas have many more flecks than other bananas, to the extent that they have become a distinguishing feature.
The same study examines the specificity of the product from a nutritional point of view, and comprehensive analysis of nutrients in ‘Plátano de Canarias’ and bananas grown in other parts of the world has revealed significant differences: ‘Plátano de Canarias’ contains less starch and more soluble sugars, which increases its sweetness.
It also has more potassium and phosphorus and less sodium and calcium than bananas grown elsewhere.
These important differences confirm the fact that ‘Plátano de Canarias’ is a different product compared to bananas grown in other parts of the world.
(Forster et al. 2002).
c)
Causal link between the geographical area and the quality, reputation and renown of the name of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ The grounds for applying for registration of ‘Plátano de Canarias’ as a Protected Geographical Indication are the quality, reputation and renown of the name.
Nevertheless, the typical ‘Plátano de Canarias’ came about through a combination of historical, natural and human factors.
The Canary Islands archipelago is situated off the northwest coast of Africa, between 27o 37' and 29o 25' north.
This location has a decisive effect on the characteristics of the climate, which is classified as humid subtropical, with mild temperatures and low rainfall.
The situation of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, in the centre of the subtropical band and to the west of the African continent, gives them specific climatic characteristics.
The climate of the area where the archipelago is located results from the interaction of two sets of factors operating independently of one another.
On the one hand, subtropical atmospheric dynamics, and on the other, the fact that most of the islands have a sharp relief, are bathed in a cool ocean current and situated near a continental land mass.