Styrian-Prekmurje pumpkin oil PGI

PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL DESIGNATIONCBA PGI (EUROPEAN PROTECTION)

An agricultural product or foodstuff has characteristics which are exclusively or essentially the result of the geographical environment and its natural and human factors. In this way, we protect products in which all production and processing processes take place within a specific geographical area. Such foods include Karst honey, extra virgin olive oil from Slovenian Istria, nano cheese, Piran salt, and Prekmurje ham.

 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

The area where pumpkin seeds are processed into Styrian-Prekmurje pumpkin seed oil is located within the border from Dravograd to Slovenj Gradec, Mislinja and Velenje, Šoštanj, Mozirje, Nazari, Vransko, Prebold, Zabukovica and Laško. From here, the border runs along the Savinja and Sava rivers past Radeče, Sevnica, Krško, Brežice to Obrežje, then along the state border with Croatia to the state border with Hungary, then along the state border (after the Karavanke) with Austria again to Dravograd.

The area where pumpkin seeds are processed into pumpkin seed oil is our easternmost and most continental region, which does not yet have a true continental climate. The temperate Alpine and Pannonian climates meet. Such climates are characterized by warm, often stormy summers, dry and sunny early autumns, and harsh winters. Most of the region is covered by lowlands, which together with the favorable climate creates favorable conditions for the development of extensive agriculture without the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides or with limited use of them.

 WE FOLLOW TRADITION

In the area of Styria and Prekmurje, the tradition of growing oil pumpkins and processing pumpkin seeds into pumpkin oil dates back to the 18th century. Ancestors valued pumpkins for their versatility in human and animal nutrition, and they were sown as an intermediate crop between sunflowers and corn. In recent decades, the planting of oil pumpkins in pure crops has been increasing and is an integral part of agricultural crop rotation.

 STYRIAN-PREKMUR PUMPKIN OIL

BuThe seeds are without a firm woody seed coat and do not need to be peeled. The seed is coated only with a thin skin so that the color of the inner sides shifts to the outside, so it is characterized by an olive to dark green color. Pumpkin seeds contain about 35-55% oil, 25-30% protein, 4-8% carbohydrates, 2-4% fiber, 4-5% minerals and trace elements (K, Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Se), vitamins, sterols, rare amino acids (Citrulline, cucurbitin), natural dye (chlorophyll).

Styrian-Prekmurje pumpkin seed oil is an unrefined edible vegetable oil produced by pressing roasted pumpkin seeds obtained from pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo) and processed in the area of Styria and Prekmurje. We can use various pumpkin seeds, among them the most represented varieties are Slovenska golica, Gleisdorfer Ölkürbis, Wies 371 and Olinka, but all pumpkin seeds must meet the prescribed quality specifications for Styrian-Prekmurje pumpkin seed oil. The oil is the result of processing the best quality pumpkin seeds according to the traditional process and with thorough control of the production process. The oil is obtained from read and cleaned pumpkin seeds by a mechanical process and using heat, without the use and addition of additives. It is dark green to red in color, with a characteristic aromatic odor and taste.

 BENEFICIAL EFFECT OF PUMPKIN OIL CONSUMPTION

Numerous scientific studies confirm the healing properties of pumpkin seeds and pumpkin oil. It is important to emphasize the positive effects of vitamin E and plant sterols, which as antioxidants inhibit the aging process, protect blood vessels, reduce the likelihood of heart attacks and cancer. The healing effects of sterols in oil are also scientifically proven in an enlarged prostate. Other vitamins and minerals help drain water, strengthen muscle and connective tissue. Unsaturated fatty acids in the oil reduce the risk of heart attack, reduce platelet aggregation and indirectly participate in the inhibition of inflammatory processes.

 BON APPETIT

Styrian-Prekmurje pumpkin oil is indispensable on a wide variety of salads: potatoes, boiled beef with eggs, on a stalk or peeled bean, on a green salad, in sauces, as a dressing for desserts…