At last the "Apple of Valtellina" was accredited Community PGI enhances this important product and the efforts of all the fruit of the Valtellina in producing an excellent product and experience due to the peculiarities of the territory. The President of the Consorzio Tutela di Valtellina Gian Luigi Mele Quagelli: "The award recognizes the quality of the Brussels apple Valtellina that from now on be able to acquire this brand of protection. This is a very important result which agrees with those who in recent years spared no effort to vigorously enforce the characteristics of this excellence of the food sector in Valtellina. In this respect it is proper to thank the local institutions, the Lombardy Region, the Ministry of 'Agriculture, associations and those in their fields of competence, have given their contribution to achieve this important goal. Nonetheless, it is our fruit growers, in a delicate situation like this, we express the appreciation of the Consortium to have always proudly claimed their work with the peculiar characteristics of our apples. The commitment of all is now more than ever essential to make the mark Valtellina PGI apple in market value. " The process for the European recognition began in 2002 and in 2005 was approved with the product specification with the public hearing for the consent of the territory. Received public approval, the practice has been carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and November 30, 2006 was granted provisional protection. Today with Regulation (EU) No. 171/2010 of the European Commission has included in the register of apple Valtellina designations of origin and protected geographical indications. The apple is produced by farmers in Valtellina Valtellina with integrated control method adopting the most innovative cultivation techniques to reduce the environmental impact and to live the orchard in symbiosis with nature and the environment. All the steps in the chain from farm to table, must be certified by ensuring quality and wholesomeness. The apple harvest in the fall of the Valtellina is then kept with the sole help of the cold at the processing facilities, and then select and package with care marketing lasts almost all year. The recognized varieties are Golden Delicious, Stark Delicious, and Gala. - Variety Gala pulp has an average compact, very juicy, the flavor is sweet, slightly acidic. - Golden Delicious is characterized by hardness, crispness and juiciness, the taste is sweet and intense aroma. - Red Delicious has an intense aroma with notes of honey, jasmine and apricot. The pulp has hardness, crunchiness and juiciness high, the aroma is of medium intensity. Another feature of apple Valtellina PGI is the very intense colors of the fruits and elongated, very attractive, features enhanced solar radiation exposure received particular orographic only Valtellina. The specific land use and human capacity in the years that have kept growing techniques in the respect and protection of the valleys and mountains have contributed to the prevalence of this product from Italian and foreign consumers.