A truly immersive and educational journey into depth along the California Prune Supply Chain. A virtuous example of the use of AI, artificial intelligence. An organized tour in Milan, thanks to the virtual realitydal California Prune Boardin the presence of the international marketing and communication director Esther Ritson-Elliott. Once you put on the headset you literally took off for the experience “Discover the California Difference” gliding through the orchards of California to discover the process of growing and drying California Prunes, their storage in warehouses, as well as their nutritional values and their uses and versatility in the kitchen.
Immersed in the orchard thanks to virtual reality
California Plums: A Closer Look at Sustainable Farming Practices
“The constant commitment to supporting innovation that distinguishes the California Prune Board – declared Esther Ritson-Elliott – is confirmed with the creation of an immersive virtual reality experience that allows you to to better understand both the production practices and the distinctive characteristics of a premium product like California Prunes. This pilot project for Italy allows you to explore the Californian countryside and discover, step by step, the process of cultivation, harvesting and drying, highlighting the attention to quality and sustainability that characterizes each phase of production. This is a educational and engaging tool which offers the opportunity to observe the sustainable agricultural practices adopted, fully understanding the path that transforms fresh plums into a long-lasting, healthy, natural and tasty food».
Harvesting: Plums never touch the ground
California Plums, Precise Irrigation Management
California is the world’s largest producer of prunes with orchards in 14 counties in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys. California Prune growers, represented by the California Prune Boardadopt sustainable agricultural practices to ensure environmental protection. Technologies such as drones and satellite monitoring allow to optimize the use of resources, ensuring precise management of irrigation and fertilization, reducing water waste to a minimum and chemicals and improving soil and plant health. The industry has invested inenergy renewablewith many farms using solar systems to power daily operations, reducing fossil energy use and carbon footprint. Integrated pest management and the use of owl boxes and apiaries also support the biodiversity and natural pest control, contributing to a healthier ecosystem. Water conservation through the adoption of advanced systems of micro irrigation ensures more efficient management of water resources.
California Prunes are a food rich in nutritional values
California Prunes, a Source of Fiber and Rich in Vitamins
California Prunes are the only dried fruit to have achieved aindication nutritional information authorised by the European Commission and Great Britain in relation to normal intestinal function: 100 grams of plums per day contribute to the normal functioning of the intestine and offer a wide range of essential nutrientsi, contributing to general well-being. They are an excellent source of fibre, promote regular digestion and are rich in vitamins and minerals: support bone health (they are particularly effective in Osteoporosis preventionespecially in post-menopausal women) and the heart, regulate blood pressure and promote muscle and nerve function. Thanks to theabundance of polyphenols, powerful antioxidants, protect cells from oxidative damage. These compounds help fight free radicals, reducing the risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Spoon Cheesecake with California Prunes, Lemon and Maple Syrup
California Plums, Widely Used in Cooking
In addition to the nutritional benefits, California Prunes are proven versatile in the kitchen. In addition to being great to enjoy on their own as a healthy snack, they can be used to add a touch of natural sweetness to a variety of dishes, from salads to cereals, from sauces to meats. Thanks to their soft consistency and to the rich flavorare ideal for enriching desserts, baked goods, smoothies or for creating sauces and dressings that enhance the flavours of savoury dishes.