Reggio Calabria's famous 'Falcomatà promenade' is home to many valuable Mediterranean and tropical plants, even large ones. But the 'exotic' essences do not only concern the 'most beautiful kilometre in Italy' of D'Annunzio's memory, but also the Reggio Calabria hinterland and neighbouring municipalities. The Annona has been a renowned example of this for several decades, certified by the municipal administration De.c.o with the name 'Annona di Reggio'.

The term 'Annona di Reggio De.c.o.' refers to varieties of the species Annona cherimola Mill and in particular acclimatised commercial varieties of Spanish origin including Fino de Jete and Campas (less common) as well as the so-called 'local varieties' or 'deformed varieties' and appears bright green even when ripe and is homogeneously cordiform (looks like a green heart) or conical in shape, with a very thin skin and homogeneous, medium depressed areolas. Its flavour is sweet and aromatic of the 'exotic' type with soft creamy-white flesh. It has a high sugar concentration and is slightly juicy and rich in Vitamin C.

Traditionally, various confectionery products can be made with the fruit, such as ice cream, sorbet, baba, jam and various desserts, but recently, innovative and delicate variants have been proposed: ricotta and annona cakes, annona cake and annona syrup tart. The Annona reggina, like many other niche and De.c.o. branded products, has great value in terms of biodiversity, always arouses great curiosity for its external characteristics and becomes a true gastronomic passion after tasting it the first time.