Corfu is famous for olive oil, kumquat and traditional dishes, but the island also has a fascinating world of old-fashioned fruits that many visitors never notice. Some still grow in village gardens, beside country roads or in small family orchards, while others have almost disappeared from local markets. As someone who grew up in Corfu, several of these fruits immediately remind me of older gardens, grandparents and the days when people simply picked whatever was ripe from the tree. Here are 12 Corfu fruits you may never have tried.
4Wild Plums and Kassies
Corfu traditionally had several types of small plums and wild plum-like fruits.
Old Corfiot plant records mention both wild plums and fruits locally described as kassies.
Depending on the tree and variety, the fruits can range from sharp and tart to surprisingly sweet when completely ripe.
Like mulberries, they are the kind of fruit that often disappears before reaching a shop because families pick and eat them directly from their own trees.
Health benefits: Plums provide fibre, vitamin C and antioxidant polyphenols. Darker-skinned varieties also contain anthocyanins, while the fruit’s natural water content makes it a refreshing summer snack.
When to look for them: Summer.
