Division 5.2 Specificity of the product

'Mandarini Chiou' is one of the most celebrated traditional agricultural products of Greece and, together with 'Mastiha Chiou PDO' (Chios mastic) is the Prefecture’s most important product. It is greatly sought after for its particular flavour and its characteristic intense aroma. The variety of mandarins grown in Chios is unique. It is said to be among the best and most aromatic in the world. Even unripe mandarins are so fragrant that anyone eating them is amazed by the persistence of their aroma. The aroma from orchards planted with 'Mandarini Chiou' is so intense that Chios has become known both in Greece and abroad as 'fragrant' Chios. This comes as no surprise to visitors, since it is said that the perfumes arising from the district of Kampos can be smelled even out at sea, from the very first moment visitors begin their journey to the green heart of the island.

The application for 'Mandarini Chiou' to be registered as a PGI product is based on its reputation, which derives from a particular quality. The term 'Mandarini Chiou' was established on the fresh-fruit market at the end of the 19th century to identify and request an original, sought-after product with a characteristic intense aroma and a particular flavour, grown on Chios in a way that contributed to the product’s special commercial value.

In order to preserve the fruit’s special properties 'Mandarini Chiou' used to be wrapped in paper after harvesting. This procedure was invented by growers in Chios and was used nowhere else in Greece. The earliest written evidence for wrapping the mandarins in paper in Chios is from the French writer A. Testevuide in the French travel review 'Le Tour du Monde' in 1878.