«In addition to the sun and the sea, the Algarve also has in the products of its land a real raw richness, with a lot of untapped potential». This was one of the conclusions of another gathering promoted, on Wednesday, by the association Teia d'Impulsos, at Casa Manuel Teixeira Gomes, in Portimão.
According to the participants in the eighth episode of the Teia D'Ideias debate series, «this wealth is not just economic or financial, it is much more than that, it is social development, it is culture, it is flavor, it is the Algarve in its most genuine essence. It is impossible to discover the Algarve without smelling, tasting and tasting its regional products, so often relegated to the background when one thinks of promoting the region».
Those who accepted Teia D'Impulsos' challenge on the night of May 9, had the opportunity to discover the products of our land, not only at the discussion table, but also at the tasting table.
The get-together, with the theme “Products of our Land – a socio-economic wealth”, was translated into a small contribution to demonstrate the enormous social and economic wealth that regional products represent and may come to represent for the Algarve.
Ludovina Galego (University of Algarve), Carlos Gracias (Algarve Wine Commission), Nuno Gonçalves (Quinta dos Avós – Algoz), João Ministro (Querença Project), Carla Vieira (historian), José Paulo Duarte Nunes (Confraria do Medronho – “Os Monchiqueiros”) and Cremilde Paias Andrez (Algarvian confectioner).
The orientation and moderation of the debate of ideas was in charge of Ana Bernardino Vieira and Nuno Silva.
The Algarve's regional products have been a source of wealth for the region for centuries. Already in the XNUMXth century, there are testimonies of the export of wine, olive oil, raisins and figs from the Algarve to Northern Europe and Mediterranean ports.
«Today, Portimão canning, Portimão for dried fruits, and Portimão for smokers is already a thing of the past. However, the production and promotion of local products continues to be a possible path for social and economic development», stresses the association Teia d'Impulsos.
The night was marked by the appeal to quality, a guarantee of success in the most competitive markets. The quality of products depends on their certification and the implementation of quality control programs. The certification step should be extended to all regional products, from wines to honey, including dried fruits and sweet potatoes.
Disclosure is also a priority. The importance of the Algarve's own efforts to promote their products was highlighted. "It is almost an obligation that public events are a showcase for these products," defended the participants.
“The products of our land are also culture. Regional gastronomy and sweets, made with local products, can be a form of art, capable of attracting quality tourism, a tourism that does not stop at the beach and sea and which has the potential to produce wealth throughout the year. , combating the seasonality of the tourist offer”, they added.
The future of this industry depends on creativity, entrepreneurship and cooperation. Partnerships are fundamental, and the importance of crossing the knowledge emanating from Algarve universities with the practical knowledge of those who daily create the products of our land has been underlined several times.
The Querença Project is a pragmatic example of this, where it was possible to combine qualified labor with rural development, adding value to traditional products from Querença.
At the tasting table, in addition to the regional sweets from Cremilde Andrez, the products of Quinta dos Avós and the nectars offered by the Confraria do Medronho, it was also possible to know and taste the mountain sausages, presented by Laura Duarte, from Sítio da Serra de Monchique, the sweet potato confectionery, brought by António Henrique, from the Association of Sweet Potato Producers of Aljezur, the bolo de pan, created by the confectioner Maria Helena Baiona, and the Myr liqueurs, from Odiáxere, revealed by Eduardo Peixinho .
Also noteworthy is the designer Mariana Pires who uses local products to make her works.
The night's surprise was staged by Associação Barman Barlavento Arade, represented by Francisco Guerreiro, who delighted those present with cocktails made with beverages and other products from the region.
This Teia D'Ideias was, once again, organized by Teia D'Impulsos, in partnership with the Municipality of Portimão, Rádio Costa D'Oiro and ETIC Algarve and with the support of Delta.
The Teia d'Impulsos association also made a special thanks to all the producers who participated in the get-together and who offered their products for tasting by everyone who visited Casa Manuel Teixeira Gomes.
The IX episode of Teia d'Ideias is already scheduled, which will take place on June 6 and will be under the theme “The Sea – Business Opportunity”.
More information about this and other initiatives of the Teia D'Impulsos Association at www.teiadimpulsos.pt or through the e-mail [email protected].
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