Benigànim

We arrive to Benigànim, where there is a special dessert waiting for us to delight those with a discerning palate: “arrop i tallaetes”, a sweet made with pumpkin and sugar.

Oral tradition has transmitted this product from one generation to the next. We do not know with certainty the origins of this sweet. It is said that the “arrop” is from Benigànim, possibly because they have produced and sold this product for many years.

This trade and “Todos los Santos” festivity (1st of November) are inseparable. The “arrop” is handmade produced. There are different tools used to make this traditional dessert. On the one hand, they use a press with one axis, where the “esportins” (pieces with the raw material) are placed. On the other hand, they also use other tools specially designed for the elaboration of this product, such as the “horquete” or “carboreros”.

Traditionally, the “arrop” was made with grapes, however today it is more usual to make it with figs. It is also possible to make it with pomegranates, dates, carobs or any other sweet fruit with sugar or honey. If you prefer, you can mix pieces of different fruits, such as melon, orange, etc. These pieces of fruit are called “tallaetes”. Therefore, “arrop” and “tallaetes” are different things often confused by many people.

There are three stages during the production process: preparation of the pumpkin, pressing of grapes or figs and boiling of the juice.

When preparing the juice, there has to be a slow boiling process to separate the impurities. Later on, let it stand for one day and boil it again until it reaches the desired sweet taste. Finally, let it get cold and bottle it in small jars.

If you want to obtain “arrop i tallaetes”, at the same time add pumpkin to the juice and let stand. Then, boil it once again until it reaches the right sweet taste. All the impurities are used to produce fodder and feed for the cattle.

Sales of this product have traditionally been made by hawkers. In fact, “el maño de Benigànim” (telephone number: 0034 962216122) is a good example. However, you can also find this product in the house of the “arrop” of Benigànim (telephone number: 0034 962216280).