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Alhaurin el Grande & Coin farmers and food producers officially inaugurated the historic 2026 harvest for the most famous gourmet veggie in the region. The Tomate Huevo Turo. The recent rains have finally ended a long and punishing drought in the Guadalhorce valley, paving the way for 1.5 million kilograms worth of this luxurious crop to be available on local markets during the summer.
A variety of heirloom tomatoes is known affectionately by locals as the “King of the Orchard.” It has a large size, a meaty texture and a rugged, heart-shaped appearance.
Andalucian farmers enjoy bumper crops
The traditional bancales (the stepped, terraced plots that are carved into the hillsides of the region) have been estimated to be home to 230,000 individual plants.
The summer campaign was officially launched with a tour of a heritage apple orchard at Alhaurin el Grande. Mayor Anthony Bermudez praised the local families who are protecting the agricultural landscape. This heritage farming method relies entirely on a labour-intensive encañado system, where farmers hand-build structures out of wild river reeds to support the immense weight of the plants. Although the weather outside has caused the harvest to arrive slightly later than normal, agricultural experts say the quality of the tomato is exceptional. This confirms its reputation as being one of the most expensive varieties in the entire world.
Celebrate the launch of the new season with creative cold soups
Coin Agrofood Market, located nearby, hosted the foody celebrations following the farm tour. The top chefs in the region gathered to show off their diverse interpretations on gazpacho. Dishes included a rustic, hand crushed gazpacho majao, blended with seasonal fruit and strawberries, as well as more contemporary, modern variations, using local goat’s milk cheese and strawberries.
Porra is another traditional favourite, which originated in Antequera. It’s a thicker and creamier version of gazpacho. Porra, unlike drinkable gazpacho is a thick puree made by pounding together sourdough, fresh garlic and extra virgin oil. It is typically eaten with a fork and garnished with cured Spanish Ham and hard-boiled eggs.
Summer events for food lovers
This single harvest is a major source of income for more than 2,000 families in the region. It proudly carries with it the regional quality label Sabor a Malaga. From July 31 to August 31, international residents and food enthusiasts can enjoy a monthlong restaurant tour across the province.
The final weekend of July will see a charity golf event at Alhaurin Golf, and a cultural evening at the Antonio Gala House Museum on the 23rd. The seasonal festivities will conclude in Coin with the Verbena Tomatera, open-air summer street festival on August 13 and 14, and then the cherry on the cake, the famous annual tomato auction on August 15 in the town’s Parque de San Agustin, where last year’s event saw a small box of tomatoes sold for a record €18,000.
