What are the Azores Islands?
The nine volcanic islands that make up the Portuguese Azores are called Europe's Tahiti. This archipelago's unique culture and community make it a destination for many fans of adventurous travel.
Where are the Azores Islands Located?
The Azores, a part of the country of Portugal, is located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, equidistant between North America and Europe. The islands boast clear blue waters, sandy beaches, and lush green landscapes, making them an ideal place to relax or explore.
The Azores have been inhabited since at least the Neolithic period. Still, its population was not large enough to support agriculture significantly until the 15th century, when Portuguese settlers arrived. Today, the Azores is one of the world's most sparsely populated regions, with only around half a million people living there.
Due to the low population, the Azores Islands are some of the world's cleanest and unpolluted growing areas. Because of this, The Azores is one of the best places to produce fruits, vegetables, livestock, and other natural products.
What is the climate like?
The Azores' climate is perfect for growing a wide variety of plants, including olives, grapes, figs, and other fruits. The area also has an ideal environment for raising livestock such as beef cows, sheep, and pigs.
This archipelago is one of the few places on Earth where it's possible to grow crops all year round. These islands are excellent for farmers who want to ensure their products are always fresh and available no matter what time of year it is.
How many islands are in the Azores?
The Azores consists of nine volcanic islands: São Miguel (the main island), Pico, Faial, Corvo, Flores, Santa Maria, Terceira, Graciosa and São Jorge. The Azores are scattered over an area of approximately 2,200 square kilometers. The islands are separated by deep channels and surrounded by steep cliffs. The largest island, Sao Miguel Island, is home to the Azores island's capital, Ponta Delgada.
The Azores archipelago's soil and climatic conditions enable a diverse range of fresh produce, including some subtropical ones such as exotic fruit like banana, pineapple, tea, yams, and passion fruit). Although the main crop (in terms of production and surface area) is green maize, sugar beet occupies a close second place among annual crops—followed by potatoes.
Crops in the Azores
The Portuguese archipelago also has several perennial crops (apple orchards and vineyards) suited for cultivation due to their resistance to drought and frost.
On the islands, fruits grow in abundance. These fruits are then used for items such as jams, jellies, juices, wines, and liquors. In addition, they produce olive oil, rich dairy products, cheese, honey, meat, fish, and poultry.
When fruit is grown in the Azores Islands, it is harvested cleanly and carefully. All of the fruits are carefully selected and harvested according to their ripeness. Then they are processed using traditional methods. These processes include washing, peeling, cutting, crushing, fermenting, drying, and packaging.
How to find Azores Fruit Jams?
Azorean jams are made by the cooperative Frutaçor who can be found on Sao Miguel Island using their traditional homemade recipes. Frutaçor jams are sourced from a fruit farmer cooperative dedicated to growing tropical fruits. These jams are made with fresh sun-ripened fruits from their local fruit trees and processed using traditional artisanal methods, resulting in a product that captures the pure essence of the Azorean islands.
These jams are made from pieces of ripe fruit, usually chopped or crushed, and cooked with sugar until thickened.
Jams can be enjoyed in many different ways. In Ponta Delgada, Azorean cuisine is similar to the style of cooking that the Portuguese have created. The exotic flavors of Azores gourmet fruit jams make for a delicious breakfast or lunch dish and are often enjoyed as a special treat with sweet bread, sweet pastry, or an English muffin. A cheese plate can accompany jams with various kinds of cheese and delicious fruits.
Jams made by Frutaçor come in many different flavors. Frutaçor creates jams ranging from common flavors such as strawberry to tropical flavors, including banana and passion fruit. Frucator has added a new dimension to jam flavors in the Azores, creating exceptional and delicious products. Experience the Azores with every bite of our WorldClass Azores jams.
Click here to learn more about Azorean fruit jams and where to get them.
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