Western Greece

The region covering Achaea, Ilia and Aetolia-Acarnania on the western mainland and the north-west Peloponnese.

Around Aigio in Achaea, known in medieval times as Vostitsa, small black currants have been sun-dried and traded since at least the 13th century. They are the original Corinth raisin behind the English word currant, and today they are registered as Korinthiaki Stafida Vostitsa PDO.

The fruit is small and blue-black, dried in the sun, then cleaned and packed by the growers’ cooperative. To check a pack, read it for the full registered name Korinthiaki Stafida Vostitsa and the PDO wording. A label that only says currants or Corinth raisins does not prove this origin.

In the kitchen, stir a handful into pilaf with Krokos Kozanis saffron, bake them into bread, or eat them from the pack. They are dry, light and cheap to post, and they also go into our Name day tin beside Chios mastiha and saffron.

The Farmers Union of Vostizza, a cooperative, sells them directly. PINAX lists a 250 g pack at an estimated price, still to be confirmed against a wholesale quote. US orders need FDA Prior Notice before dispatch.