This wonderful programme has been in place since the 1990’s, yet the wide public in the UK does not know what it entails.
Geographical Indications (GI’s) is a protection of foods, drinks and other agricultural produce against a misuse of its name, to protect the heritage, recipes and ingredients. It exists to protect what is traditional a specific region – small or big. It is here to protect what belongs to a local agricultural folklore, something that people of that region (and beyond) are proud of, something their forefathers used to make and something that is worthy protecting for future generations.
Let’s take Cheddar for example. West Country Farmhouse Cheddar has been added to the GI’s list in 1996 under the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) label. It can only be produced in the 4 counties of SW England (Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall) and must be produced according to a specific recipe from specific ingredients (only a fresh milk from the areas). I won’t go into the depth of cheesemaking recipes as it is quite geeky.
There is evidence that cheddar was made in Somerset (in the area of Cheddar) as far back as 15th century. Since that time cheddar was exclusively made on local farms and sold at local markets. It was claimed that the best cheese was always made in the area around Cheddar Gorge and hence it adopted it’s name. According to the tradition the cheese was stored in the caves of the gorge that stretches under Mendip Hills because of the perfect storing conditions. The minimum ageing requirement now is 9 months.
The reputation of the cheese spread, and together with construction of bigger factories not just here in the UK but also in the countries of commonwealth and US. Today, Cheddar is made throughout the world and the name denotes the unique process (here is your geeky bit) of stacking and turning the curds designed to speed up the draining of the whey.
However, the tradition of making Farmhouse Cheddar is still evident in the 4 counties of Devon, Dorset, Cornwall and Somerset and the product enjoys wide recognition for its full flavoured, aged and deep flavour.
Therefore the designation of West Country Farmhouse Cheddar distinguishes this Cheddar from other by the virtue of:
- its historical links to the area
- the source of milk – ingredients
- the method of making – recipe
- it’s maturity
- distinctive taste
Therefore only Cheddar made in a specific region, from specific ingredients in a specific way can be called West Country Farmhouse Cheddar.
This can be said about all produce under Geographical Indications and it is exactly this method that makes a product unique, worthy of protection from other produce which are often of inferior quality.
UK has adopted this scheme from the EU in 1992, where it has been in place for hundreds of years (it goes back to 11th century when only the region of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon was able to age their cheese in the villages caves) and it serves to promote the concept of ‘terroir’ (word famed by winemakers.).
However, the scheme is not limited to products made in the EU only. It is open to produce from other countries as long as they satisfy the conditions of the referenced regulation. Now, there are 25 names from different countries registered under the EU Quality Scheme.” Food items such as the Cambodian Pepper and Turkish Fig are among the numerous non-EU products protected by the PDO label.
