NEWS

Together with Proexport, we organized a virtual event with nutritionists, chefs and technicians to highlight the quality, uniqueness and nutritional benefits of the pepper from the Region of Murcia.

To highlight the production and quality of the pepper from Murcia, we organized the virtual event "Quality vitamins to feed society" aimed at journalists, technicians and producers. Presented and moderated by Fernando Gómez Molina, General Manager of Proexport, the different attributes and benefits of the pepper were analysed from nutritional, culinary, agronomic and market points of view.

In this regard, the prestigious nutritionist Rebeca Pastor stated that that the pepper is a gem in terms of nutrition since it provides water, fibre, vitamin C and is an antioxidant, so it helps prevent diseases such as high blood pressure and improves the immune system.

From a culinary point of view, María Gómez, chef at the Michelin-starred Magoga restaurant, confirmed that the pepper is also an absolute gem in the kitchen.

Whether cooked or raw, it is a product that provides flavour, colour, different textures and is healthy, so it is a perfect ingredient for avant-garde cuisine and the latest food trends.

Meanwhile, Eva Pérez Sánchez, head of the pepper sector at Proexport, stated that since the 19th century, with the emergence of the famous ñora pepper, Murcia has always been at the forefront in the production, sale and consumption of peppers and that the Campo de Cartagena area is today a key area for the development of varieties and production of peppers in Europe. According to the data provided by Eva Pérez, in the Region of Murcia there are 1,530 hectares of devoted to the cultivation of peppers, providing a total of 155,764 tonnes of annual production, of which 107,000 are exported (representing 13% of all Spanish pepper exports).

Salvador Paredes, Pepper Breeder at Semillas Fitó in Murcia, said that pepper farmers are an example of a job well done who care for their environment and who are treated very unfairly, since they carry out their work very efficiently and with the utmost care.

Fitó works side by side with them to develop varieties that adapt to their agronomic conditions, that are resistant to diseases and with a reduced use of fertilizers, but that have a great taste and are appreciated by consumers. That is the main objective of the Fitó R&D program in the Campo de Cartagena area, where varieties such as Maestral and Río Grande have been developed.