Island Lošinj

More than 900 island autochtonous types of wild intoxicating plant seeds are already dormant in the stony cracks and fissures under the thorny evergreen juniper tree, scattered by howling Autumn gales. Only the Agaves are awake along the lovers' pathways from Rovenska to Kriška bay, notwithstanding the strong Autumn gusts.

The December fragrance is the right time to do your own end-of-year «balance sheet». So go ahead and find time for yourself on our fragrant island! In the drowsy Lošinj December morning, the unimpeded fragrance of pine wends its way through the shutters into your room and swirls around your thoughts soon dispelling melancholy while dislodging simultaneously negative energy accumulated throughout the year. 

And when flights of fancy overcome you, why not join us to welcome in the New Year fragrances!


PINE (lat. Pinus halepensis Mill. – Aleppian pine) 
(lat. Pinus pinea L. – Stone pine, pine kernel)
The Aleppian pine is a specifically Mediterranean tree, which grows along our Adriatic coast and islands. Stone pine is a highly decorative Mediterranean tree. It grows alone or in smaller clusters.

PINE TREE IN YOUR GARDEN AND MINE
The Aleppian pine grows to a height of 20 m. The trunk is mainly twisted, rarely straight. The bark in saplings is smooth and of a light grey colour, while in older trees it is blackish to reddish brown and furrowed. The Stone pine tree grows to a height of 25 m. The treetop is umbrella-shaped. The bark is reddish brown, deeply furrowed and cracked.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE
The seeds of the Stone pine (pine kernel) are edible and extremely tasty. The flavour of the seed is pleasant with a mild resinous smell (like turpentine), which fades at higher temperatures. Pine kernel can be eaten raw and it is added to meat dishes, especially game, as well as various sweet dishes.

MEDICINAL AND THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS
Pine kernel is used for the extraction of edible oil, which contains a lot of linoleic acid and is thus considered to have a beneficial impact on atherosclerosis.

SIDE EFFECTS: none known

INTERESTING FACT
The inner husk (cambium) can be dried and ground into a nourishing flour which can be mixed with bread flour when there is a shortage.

IMPORTANT
Aleppian pine sheds a huge amount of needles every year, far more than any other type of pine tree. The decomposition of needles in the humification and mineralisation process creates fertile forest soil.


AGAVE (lat. Agave americana L.) 
A plant indigenous mainly to Latin America and Mexico. It was brought to the island of Lošinj and flourishes there.

AGAVE IN MY GARDEN AND YOURS
The plant has thick, succulent leaves and in the centre there is a stalk from which several flowers sprout. The agave blooms only once!

NUTRITIONAL VALUE
The flowers, succulent leaves, stalk and juice of the agave are all edible. It is known to have medicinal properties.

INTERESTING FACT
Some agaves blossom in 10, 40 or 100 years. It all depends on the climate. After blossoming, the plant withers but before this, it gets rid of new shoots on the side.

IMPORTANT
The well-known Mexican tequila is made from the flowers and juice of Agave.