Tropical fruits of Granada: chirimoya, mango and avocado

Chirimoya: a designation of origin on the doorstep

The DOP Chirimoya de la Costa Tropical de Granada-Málaga was ratified by Order APA/3120/2002. It covers only two varieties, Fino de Jete and Campas, from the species Annona cherimola.

Its area includes ten municipalities in Granada — Motril, Salobreña, Vélez de Benaudalla, Los Guájares, Molvízar, Itrabo, Otívar, Lentejí, Jete and Almuñécar — and five in Málaga: Nerja, Frigiliana, Torrox, Algarrobo and Vélez-Málaga. The regulatory council is based in Almuñécar.

When is chirimoya in season?

Fino de Jete, by far the main variety, is harvested from mid-October to the end of February; Campas from mid-September, staggered until November.

Depending on when the trees are pruned, the Junta de Andalucía notes that a harvest can also be obtained in spring. Exact dates change from year to year with the weather.

Mango

The mangoes grown here are Florida varieties: Motril lists Tommy Atkins, Irwin, Osteen and Keitt. In Andalusia the harvest runs by variety: Tommy Atkins in September, Kent from mid-September to mid-October, Osteen in October and Keitt from mid-October to the end of November.

Avocado

Avocado has been grown on the Costa Tropical since 1960 and expanded strongly in the 1980s; Motril Turismo puts it at about 2,800 hectares on the Granada coast. Varieties include Hass, Bacon, Fuerte, Pinkerton and Reed. It only ripens after picking: Motril’s guide says it is ready when it spreads like butter. No official harvest calendar is published, so we do not show one.

Where to buy local tropical fruit

The greengrocers of Motril’s Municipal Market (Plaza de San Agustín, mornings Monday to Saturday) are the simplest option. Almuñécar Turismo also mentions tropical-farm visits to taste freshly picked fruit, and holds subtropical cooking days every January.

Frequently asked questions