Jams, Syrups, Juices - Catalogue of Székelygyümölcs Products

Catalogue of Székelygyümölcs Products

Jams, Syrups, Juices

Catalogue of Székelygyümölcs Products

Publisher: Civitas Foundation for Civil Society Responsible publisher: Orbán Árpád (arpad.orban@civitas.ro) Editor: Pakot Mónika Translated by: Dénes Réka The photographs were made by: Jakab Ágnes, Onucsán Miklós Editing and proofreading: Chris Worman Typesetting editor: Csáki Ferencz The publication was created within the Fruits of Traditions – “Frutrad” project of the Civitas Foundation for Civil Society. www.frutrad.ro, www.civitas.ro © Civitas Foundation for Civil Society, 2011

Contact: Székelygyümölcs Association Solymossy street, no. 29 535600 - Odorheiu Secuiesc Harghita County Romania Tel.: 0040-266-218-481 szekelygyumolcs@yahoo.com Fruit Processing Manufacture Main road, no. 566 537165 Lupeni Harghita County Romania Tel.: 0040-735-524-771

Jams, Syrups, Juices

Dear reader!

This product catalog is the result of an Udvarhely Region initiative in the most literal meaning of the word. In 2008, the Civitas Foundation launched The Fruits of Traditions - a community-based economic model, a pioneer in our region. In the beginning, there were two main objectives: to save the traditional fruits of Udvarhely Region, fruits representing an important asset for the Carpathian Basin, and second to create easy access to income for people living in this rural area through local processing of the crop into goods. This region, including the landscape and the natural world of the inhabitants is an important and indispensable area. Saving it for future generations is an important gift for the next generation.

Why was this initiative so important?

Today, more often than not we do not know what we are grabbing off the shelves of our shops. Modern products, which have a seductive effect on us, often come from distant countries, having traveled many-many kilometers though still looking fresh and flawless due to different chemical treatments.

And they are also cheap. This is why even those living in rural areas say it is not worth working to cultivate the land. Since everything can be bought in the stores for a much lower price, it is impossible to engage in battle against the wholesalers. All of this, however, leads to growing poverty in the region and to the extinction of the local natural and cultural variety.

Opposing this trend, there is a small fraction, the so-called conscious shoppers, who pay attention to where their money ends up, to who they support by shopping. For them, not all that goes on the table is the same; they invest in local and healthy foods for their family and children, even if that means spending more money. We wish to reach out to individuals like this with our goods and provide products made from fruits sourced from an exclusive region which preserve the memory of the “goodies” prepared by grandma in their resplendent flavors.

What is the Székelygyümölcs (Szekler Fruit)?

Székelygyümölcs is a trademark which values the manual work of the udvarhely region’s farmers, supports the protection of natural variety and guarantees the quality and variety of fruit-based products. The jams, syrups and juices found here do not contain any additives. The products are made from traditional szekler fruits and wild fruits, based on traditional recipes.

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Catalogue of Székelygyümölcs Products

The apple

(Malus domestica L.) The juice is made from traditional apples from the Udvarhely Region, like the Pónyik, Batul, Selyem (Silk), Török Bálint, Tartós Gusztáv and Bőr (Skin) apples. The apple juice, mixed with the juice of another plant, like spinach or the common sorrel, which have high concentrations of mineral salts, offer an excellent purgative.It can dissolve the remnants of constipation off the walls of the intestines. The traditional apple types, carefully grown and processed according to traditional recipes come from the Szekler region. Aside from the mixed apple jam, we also make apple jam with cinnamon, with poppy-seeds and mixed with pears. Delicious jam can be made from apple types like Tartós Gusztáv and Pónyik.

Apple juice Ingredients: 100 % apple juice pressed cold.

Apple jam Ingredients: 60% apples, 40% sugar.

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Jams, Syrups, Juices

The bilberry

(Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Wild bilberries, handpicked and processed according to traditional recipes, come from the mountains of the Szekler region where they grow on the outskirts of the forests, slopes and river banks. The plant is celebrated in popular medicine due to its high concentration of potassium. It also contains calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, sulfur, phosphorus and vitamin C. Bilberries are used in the treatment of cardiac and vascular diseases, as well as different problems with the eyes. They also are a great blood-purifying agent, thus having a beneficial effect in case of eczemas, rashes, eruptions and other skin diseases.

Bilberry jam Ingredients: 60% bilberry, 40% sugar.

Bilberry syrup Ingredients: 55% bilberry, 45% sugar.

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Catalogue of Székelygyümölcs Products

The elder

(Sambucus nigra L.) Elders, handpicked and processed according to traditional recipes, grow all over the Szekler region. Aside from the elder fruit, we also make syrup from elder flowers. The elder has expectorant, sweltering effects, and at the same time it regulates kidney function. Cooked elder fruit are used in curing spasmodic headaches.

Elder jam Ingredients: 60% elder, 40% sugar.

Elder syrup Ingredients: 55% elder, 45% sugar.

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The cherry

(Prunus avium L.) Cherry juice is made from cherries that grow in the Udvarhely Region, like the Badacsonyi, Üveges, Disznódi, Imecsi, Ropogós, and Hólyagos cherries. Mixed with sour cherries, it has an exceptional flavor. We also make cherry compote, which can be used in soups or as desserts.

Cherry juice with sour cherries Ingredients: 100 % fruit juice pressed cold.

Jams, Syrups, Juices

The strawberry

The hawthorn

(Fragaria vesca L.)

(Crataegus oxyacantha L.)

Strawberries are carefully grown in gardens all around Szekler land and are processed according to tradition by the women of the Udvarhely Region. Strawberries are exceptional blood purifiers, due to their high concentration of minerals. They also have strong medicinal properties treating diabetes, high blood pressure, constipation and kidney problems.

Hawthorns, handpicked and processed according to traditional recipes, grow all throughout Szekler land. The hawthorn offers nourishment for our hearts since it is a great vasodilator; its active ingredients stimulate cardiac function and blood flow. It also reduces cholesterol and blood pressure and is used in treating chronic insomnia due to its calming effects.

Strawberry jam Ingredients: 60% strawberry, 40% sugar.

Hawthorn jam Ingredients: 60% hawthorn, 40% sugar.

Hawthorn with blackthorn Ingredients: 52% hawthorn, 8 % blackthorn, 40% sugar.

Hawthorn with rose-hip Ingredients: 30 % hawthorn, 30 % rose-hip, 40% sugar.

The blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.)

The blackcurrant, grown and processed with natural methods, comes from szekler gardens. Occasionally, we also make mixed syrups, using white, red and black currant. Currants can prevent cancer, improve digestion and calm fever.

They are exceptionally rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, fruit acids and flavonoids; all of which are strong anti-oxidants.

Blackcurrant jam Ingredients: 60% blackcurrant, 40% sugar.

Blackcurrant syrup lIngredients: 55% backcurrant, 45% sugar.

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Catalogue of SzĂŠkelygyĂźmĂślcs Products

The rose-hip

The blackthorn

(Rosa canina L.)

(Prunus spinosa L.)

In Szekler land rose-hips are gathered in late autumn and processed into jams and syrups with traditional methods.

In many places rose-hips are also mixed cold to make jam. Its high concentration of vitamin C builds the immune system; the flavonoids also have an antiinflammatory and antibiotic effect. It has a mild diuretic effect and it is wellknown to help improve digestion.

Szekler women process blackthorns gathered from the szekler hill-sides and sunny forests according to old traditional recipes.

The jam made from the fruit is appropriate against diarrhea and enteritis. Is has a slimming effect, as well as blood-pressure reducing and blood-purifying effects.

Rose-hip jam Ingredients: 60% rose-hips, 40% sugar.

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Rose-hip syrup Ingredients: 55% rose-hips, 45% sugar.

Blackthorn jam Ingredients: 60% blackthorn, 40% sugar.

Jams, Syrups, Juices

The pear

(Pyrus communis L.) The fruit juice and jam are prepared from traditional pears of the Udvarhely Region: Korsós, Méz (Honey), Pap (Priest), Pirosbelű (Red-cored), Nagy macskafej (Big Cat Head), Kongresszus emléke (Memory of Congress) pears, etc. Aside from the mixed pear jam, we also make pear jam with raisins and pear compote.

Pear juice Ingredients: 100 % pear juice pressed cold.

Pear jam Ingredients: 60% pear, 40% sugar.

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Catalogue of Székelygyümölcs Products

The raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.)

Raspberries come from szekler gardens and clear-cuttings, and are processed according to old recipes. Raspberries contain high levels of minerals and vitamin C, and are thus good for the body. Raspberry syrup has a blood-purifying effect; it reduces blood-sugar level and high blood-pressure.

It stimulates blood flow, regulates cardiac function and cures menstrual dysfunctions.

Raspberry jam Ingredients: 60% raspberry, 40% sugar.

Raspberry syrup Ingredients: 55% raspberry, 45% sugar.

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Jams, Syrups, Juices

The sour cherry (Prunus cesarus L.)

The base ingredient for products made of sour cherries come from the Udvarhely Region. The products are made mostly from the following sour cherry types: Spanish, Gipsy and Érdi bőtermő (High-Yielding) sour cherries.

We also make sour cherry compote which conributes to a delicious soup or dessert.

Sour cherry jam Ingredients: 60% sour cherry, 40% sugar.

Sour cherry syrup Ingredients: 33% sour cherry, 67% sugar.

The cornel

(or cornelian cherry)

(Cornus mas L.) Cornels grow in different areas of the Udvarhely Region, and where they grow is worth a fortune. They are very valuable due to their high concentration of vitamin C. Cornels are also rich in carotid, and when fresh, have an antioxidant effect.

When processing them, we take a lot of care to preserve their beneficial effects.

Cornel jam Ingredients: 60% cornel, 40% sugar.

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Catalogue of Székelygyümölcs Products

The blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.)

Blackberries, found alongside forests and riversides, are processed according to traditional recipes. They are used to treat diarrhea, wounds, oral diseases, throat aches and hemorrhoids. The nutrient content of the blackberries is similar to that of raspberries; it has a higher content of carbohydrates, vegetable fibers and pectin and a lower content of vitamin C and vegetable acids.

Blackberry jam Ingredients: 60% blackberry, 40% sugar.

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Blackberry syrup Ingredients: 55% blackberry, 45% sugar.

Jams, Syrups, Juices

The plum (Prunus domestica L.) Different types of plums – Húsos, Besztercei, Ringló, Hargasmagú – come from Szekler land and are carefully gathered and processed according to old recipes. The delicious, juicy and succulent plums have few calories, do not contain saturated fats, but are rich in vitamins, minerals and other ingredients that contribute to sustaining a healthy organism.

The green tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) Green tomato jam represents a specialty in the product family. It has seriously beneficial. People prepare ointments against mycosis and inflammatory diseases from its alkaloid, named tomatine.

Green tomato jam Ingredients: 70% green tomato, 30% sugar.

Plum jam Ingredients: 60% plum, 40% sugar.

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Catalogue of Székelygyümölcs Products

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The diversity and price of the products offered for sale mostly depend on the fruit-based materials grown/collected in the Udvarhely Region.

Due to the seasonal nature of our production, please contact us prior to purchase via the described contact details.

The jams, syrups and fruit juices are sold in different packaging forms and sizes. Jams usually come in 120 ml and 312 ml quantities, syrups at a quarter, 0,5 liter or 1 liter, while the juices are packed in 1 liter or 5 liter containers.

Always taking into account feedback from our customers, we continuously develop our products and offerings, aiming to increase the nutritional and commercial value of our offerings. Taking into account the specific needs of different pensions, hotels, restaurants or other commercial sights, the Székelygyümölcs Association is open to meet specific expectations and needs where quantity and packaging is concerned (e.g. jams can be packed in 3 to 5 liter containers).

Upon request, jams can be delivered in decorative baskets. In this case, the price of the basket is added to the price of the jam it contains.

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Jams, Syrups, Juices

The realization of the project is supported by the Norwegian Government within the Norwegian Cooperation Program for Economic Growth and Sustainable Development in Romania.

Trademark of our traditional products

Š All rights reserved. 2011