Karvounis Chestnut
Karvounis Chestnut is an exceptional nut, closely linked to the mountainous area of Mount Ampelos, more widely known as Karvounis, on the island of Samos. Samos is internationally renowned for its Muscat wine, and its mountainous zones, especially the northern slopes of Karvounis, are home to chestnut groves that sustain a lesser-known but equally valuable production. Chestnut cultivation on Samos is concentrated mainly in the mountain villages of Karvounis, such as Vourliotes, Manolates, Ampelos, Stavrinides, but also of Kerkis, such as Leka, Kosmadaioi and Kastania, the name of which in itself attests to the settlement’s close relationship with the tree. This nut, rich in starch and low in fat, differs from common nuts, as its nutritional profile more closely resembles that of starchy foods.
Karvounis Chestnut refers to the nut produced by the chestnut trees (Castanea sativa) that thrive in the forested areas and cultivated chestnut groves of Mount Ampelos (Karvounis) on Samos. The uniqueness of the product lies in its origin from the distinctive microclimate and terrain of the mountainous parts of Samos, while its reputation is inextricably linked to this specific island environment.
The geographical production area of chestnut on Samos is concentrated on the slopes of Mount Ampelos or Karvounis, the island’s second highest mountain range, with a peak at 1,037 metres (Lazaros peak). The chestnut groves are usually found in mountainous and semi-mountainous zones where humidity, exposure and altitude conditions are favourable for the development of the tree. Mount Karvounis is characterised by dense vegetation and a climate that, although typically Mediterranean, is tempered by the north–northwesterly winds during the summer, thus ensuring the relatively cool and moist conditions required by the chestnut tree, in contrast to the hot and dry conditions prevailing at lower altitudes on the island.
Chestnut cultivation on Samos follows traditional and non-intensive farming practices, due to the mountainous topography and the age of the chestnut groves, a phenomenon observed in many mountain chestnut orchards in Greece. The tree’s soil and climate requirements are met by the acidic and well-drained soils of the mountain massifs, as well as by adequate moisture, mainly during the growing season.
The seasonality of the fruit is typical, with harvest taking place from early October to late November. Harvesting is traditionally carried out by gathering the fruits that fall to the ground after the spiny husks (burrs) split open. Due to the slopes and the difficult terrain of the area, the use of mechanical means is impossible, making the process manual. After harvesting, the chestnuts undergo processing that includes cleaning from foreign matter and sorting.
Although chestnut cultivation does not have commercial weight, it is an important factor in the economic sustainability of the mountainous communities of Samos, particularly in the villages of Karvounis. Beyond the direct production of nuts, the chestnut groves contribute to the preservation of the traditional mountain landscape and to the prevention of soil erosion on steep slopes. The preservation of the chestnut groves, many of which are very old, also enhances the biodiversity of the area. The harvest of the nuts provides seasonal employment and income for residents who live permanently in the mountain villages.
The presence of the chestnut tree on Samos, and especially in the mountainous area of Karvounis. The chestnut tree has been linked to the survival of mountain inhabitants, as its fruit, rich in energy, served as food during the autumn and winter months.
In the mountain villages of Samos, as in many chestnut-producing regions of Greece, the arrival of autumn marks the beginning of the chestnut harvest, which is accompanied by specific customs. For example, it was and still is a nut, together with dried figs and raisins as well as the well-known moustalavouria (must pudding), that is consumed at the “kazania” (traditional distilleries) of “souma” (a local alcoholic drink made from grape pomace). The harvest period is traditionally a time when families gather and cooperate in the chestnut groves.
