THE MARASCA SOUR CHERRY, an indigenous cherry sort, is one of Zadar’s most well known symbols, with its cultivation in this area dating all the way back to the sixteenth century. While marasca sour cherries are not native to Croatia (but rather Central Asia), it is maintained they attain their finest aroma only when grown in the mediterranean climate and rocky soil of northern and central Dalmatia (the area stretching from Zadar to Makarska), with the largest yield being in Zadar. The distinctive aroma is then passed onto the fruit’s most famous product - Maraschino liqueur. Apart from Maraschino, this sour-sweet fruit is widely used in the food industry, resulting in a variety of products such as juices, jams, compotes and chocolates
