Le Vie della Zagara: Balanced and Scenic Ribera

The world’s only orange with PDO certification (protected designation of origin, DOP in Italian) grows in Ribera, Sicily. Belonging to the family of yellow navel oranges, it’s not all that different in appearance to any run of the mill orange you’re apt to come across at any supermarket anywhere in the world. But bite into a Ribera or drink some of its juice and what sets it apart becomes clear. It’s a juicy fruit with a balanced ratio of sugars and acids – not too sweet or tart – with a firm and smooth flesh and no seeds.

Distinctively delicious oranges or not, Ribera is a special place. Situated just a few miles from the sea and set snug within the rippled landscape of Sicily’s southeastern coast, the area benefits from a suntrap microclimate. Above this compact and pretty hilltop city and its vast spread of groves sits the ruins of Poggio di Diana, a 12th century Norman castle. The path leading up to the castle is scattered with wild orange and almond trees with the air wafting through as agreeably aromatic as the views from its base are sweeping and dramatic.

Please keep an eye out for more juicy tales in my Le Vie della Zagara series of posts.