I had just driven through the village of Episkopi and whilst pleased with myself for navigating ridiculously steep hills and 180 degree hairpin bends, I had ignored the directions I was given and therefore it was in the bottom of the valley that I met my host for the day, Pambos.. Before we set off on the hike I had booked to do with him, Pambos beckoned me to follow him into a dense citrus grove. His elderly neighbour was there tending his fruit trees and whilst they chatted in Greek this lovely old gentlemen took my face into his hands and smiled. There was a shout from behind us and Pambos laughed – his friend had upset his wife again – she never missed a trick.
I followed Pambos deeper into the grove past piles of gourds, old shoes and over low stone walls. Finally he stopped at a tree and showed me how to check the fruit for ripeness – they need to pull away easily into your hand. We picked half a dozen round yellow fruits and Pambos started peeling one as we left the grove and joined the Episkopi Nature Trail, which Pambos helps to maintain. He handed me a few segments. I was not keen to make my breakfast something so bitter. But I didn’t want to offend and took a bite – and enjoyed the most glorious sensation of eating lemonade! This was a rare fruit indeed Pambos told me – a sweet lemon, and they were delicious.
At the end of the hike we sought out the special tree again as I was keen to take some of these little beauties home. Perhaps my other half could grow some in his greenhouse from the pips? But Pambos advised that these can only be grown by careful grafting. Shame, but I was pleased to head off with a few in my rucksack. I shared my bounty sparingly and today ate the very last one, a month after returning home from Cyprus. Here's Pambos showing off the rather larger and much less tasty pomelos. But I will never forget my sweet surprise in the beautiful citrus groves of Episkopi.
Food and Wine Experiences near Paphos - Pambos Wine.
Episkopi village (visitcyprus.com)
Sweet Lemons Information, Recipes and Facts (specialtyproduce.com)
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