Saturday, July 25, 2009

What is Fejo fruit?

When I saw this boat in the harbor in Copenhagen, I assumed that the translation was fresh fruit. One of our guides told me that the boats come from these beautiful little islands just off the coast of mainland Denmark and bring fruit from the orchards there. It sounded like such a lovely, romantic idea to me, and seemed like the perfect name for this blog.

However....I was wrong.

Fejo is actually the name of the island where the fruit comes from. Fejo's official website says:

Fejø, the biggest of three inhabited islands Askø, Femø and Fejø, has 600 inhabitants, is 16 square kilometres in area and has a coastline more than 30 kilometres long. It is a peaceful island without stress or hurry. The island has low hills and low shores. Its rich clayey soil is cultivated intensively.

Some history:
  • 1231: Fejø is mentioned in King Valdemars cadaster under the name 'Fæø' ('fæ' means cattle – 'ø' means island). In other words, the island was crown land at the time.
  • 1872: a silver cup from the Viking age is found. It was made in France in the 9th century. The museum on the island has a copy of it.

Nowadays there is little cattle left on the fields. Today, Fejø is best known for its production of quality fruit. The surrounding sea gives the island a warmer climate during the critical spring­time. Usually, the fruit trees blossom by mid-May: a sight, which in itself is worth the visit.

I want to go to there.

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