Six geographical indications that you might not have ever heard before

Since the 11th of October 2013, Pasta di Gragnano has been protected by the Protected geographical (PGI) indication mark against counterfeiting and abuse under the EU law. The PGI guarantees the origin and quality of the product and, in the case of Gragnano pasta, it testifies to a centuries-old tradition. The specification drawn up by the European Commission defines some requirements as indispensable: the geolocation of the production plants in Gragnano and the production exclusively with durum wheat semolina and water from the local aquifer. Pasta di Gragnano PGI must also be packaged in cardboard boxes or transparent bags or in packaging made with material of vegetable origin or other recyclable material permitted by EU regulations.

The pork pies were granted a PGI with the EU on the 30th of June 2009 but had a rich history before this. Originally made by peasants and sold as snacks to fox hunters, the pork pies became famous amongst the wealthy hunters who then began their exportation and commercialization from Melton Mowbray to London in the 1830s, with the product eventually being exported all over the world.

These are fruits of the “cone apricot”, “oval apricot” (or “rose apricot”) and “pineapple apricot” varieties, which were traditionally grown in the period from 1900 to 1960 by the Wachau apricot growers and local apricot schools. The name “apricot” can be traced back to the region as early as around the year 1509. The special feature of the product is the taste and aroma of the fruit, as well as the high sugar, acid and pectin content.

Żubrówka Vodka, which means Bison Grass Vodka, is a brand of dry herb-flavoured vodka distilled from rye. The story of Żubrówka Vodka can be dated back to 500 years ago. It is bison grass which gives Żubrówka its unique and aromatic taste. Each bottle of Żubrówka Bison Grass contains a blade of bison grass which is added by hand. This is the only Polish item on the list of European regional food and drinks among 100 items,  agreed to be protected under the trade deal between the European Union and China.

Well before talking about the geographic name Phu Quoc, I grant myself the privilege of being the website owner to tell you about the importance of fish sauce to Vietnamese people. As someone has rightly said, “the Vietnamese take their fish sauce very seriously. A staple of the country’s cuisine, fish sauce is to Vietnam what olive oil is to Italy. ”(see the original article here) Phu Quoc fish Sauce is a fish sauce made exclusively on Phu Quoc Island, southwest Vietnam. While fish sauce can be made from other types of seafood, such as shrimp or squids and/or any kind of fish, such as mackerel, Phu Quoc sauce is made exclusively from anchovies caught in the water around the island. The waters there are rich in seaweed and plankton, which provide food for the anchovy population. Traditional Phu Quoc fish sauce has been made for over 200 years. More information about Phu Quoc fish sauce can be found here.

This type of chicken is protected under French law through the ‘appellation d’origine contrôléé’ status and label. The raising of the chickens is done under strict conditions, only 1.2 million may be produced each year within the defined geographical area of the former province of ‘Bresse’ in Eastern France close to the Swiss border. The chickens have gained a reputation for being of a higher standard. About 10% of the annual production is exported abroad.