Manisa’s ‘mesir paste’ is the latest to gain EU geographical indication from Türkiye

I saw the news that Manisa’s ‘mesir paste’ gains EU geographical indication

I guess I only tried it once.

What is Mesir Paste?

Mesir paste, also known as mesir macunu in Turkish, is a traditional sweet confection with a rich history and cultural significance in Turkey. Here are the key aspects of mesir paste:

Origin and History

• Originated in Manisa, Turkey, during the reign of Sultan Suleiman I (the Magnificent) in the 16th century[2].
• Created by Merkez Efendi, a Sufi healer, to cure Hafsa Sultan (mother of Suleiman I) of a mysterious illness[2].
• After Hafsa Sultan’s recovery, she requested the paste be distributed to the public, starting the tradition[2].

Composition and Preparation

• Contains a mixture of 41 different herbs and spices[3][4].
• Key ingredients include cinnamon, anise, resin, mustard, carnation, coconut, black pepper, coriander, vanilla, and ginger[3].
• Traditionally prepared with prayers and specific rituals[5].
• Sweetened with honey, giving it a dark color and sweet flavor[2].

Cultural Significance

• Central to the annual Mesir Macunu Festival in Manisa, celebrated for nearly 500 years[2][5].
• The festival is recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage[4][6].
• During the festival, the paste is thrown from the Sultan Mosque to crowds below[5][6].

Believed Health Benefits

• Thought to enhance strength, reduce fatigue, and increase appetite[3].
• Believed to protect against diseases and keep poisonous insects away[3].
• Considered to have various medicinal properties due to its herbal composition[1].

Modern Usage

• Evolved into a popular street food called macun şekeri[2].
• Available in various flavors and colors, often served on a stick[2].
• Sold as a traditional sweet and souvenir[1].

Mesir paste represents a unique blend of Turkish history, traditional medicine, and cultural celebration, continuing to be an important part of Turkey’s culinary and cultural heritage.

Citations:

1. International Geographical Indication Mobilization – Turkish Patent and Trademark Office
2. Türkiye’s Geography-Specific Products in Line for EU Registration – Anadolu Agency
3. Europe Grants PDO Status to Turkey’s Çizik Zeytini Table Olives – Olive Oil Times
4. Türkiye’s Menengiç Coffee Secures EU Geographical Indication – Daily Sabah
5. First EU-Registered Strawberry from Türkiye – European External Action Service

As of December 2024, Türkiye has successfully registered 29 products with EU geographical indication status.

Here is the complete list:

1. Gaziantep Baklavası (Baklava)
2. Aydın İnciri (Fig)
3. Malatya Kayısısı (Apricot)
4. Aydın Kestanesi (Chestnut)
5. Milas Zeytinyağı (Olive Oil)
6. Bayramiç Beyazı (White Nectarine)
7. Taşköprü Sarımsağı (Garlic)
8. Giresun Tombul Fındığı (Hazelnut)
9. Antakya Künefesi
10. Suruç Narı (Pomegranate)
11. Çağlayancerit Cevizi (Walnut)
12. Gemlik Zeytini (Olive)
13. Edremit Zeytinyağı (Olive Oil)
14. Milas Yağlı Zeytini (Oil Olives)
15. Ayaş Domatesi (Tomato)
16. Maraş Tarhanası (Dried Yoghurt Soup)
17. Edremit Körfezi Yeşil Çizik Zeytini (Gulf Green Scratch Olive)
18. Ezine Peyniri (Cheese)
19. Safranbolu Safranı (Saffron)
20. Aydın Memecik Zeytinyağı (Olive Oil)
21. Araban Sarımsağı (Garlic)
22. Bingöl Balı (Honey)
23. Osmaniye Yer Fıstığı (Peanut)
24. Bursa Şeftalisi (Peach)
25. Hüyük Çileği (Strawberry)
26. Bursa Siyah İnciri/Bursa Siyahı (Black Fig)
27. Söke Pamuğu (Cotton)
28. Manisa Mesir Macunu (Mesir Paste)
29. Gaziantep Menengiç/Melengiç Kahvesi (Coffee)

This list represents a diverse range of products including fruits, vegetables, nuts, oils, desserts, and beverages that have received Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status from the European Union[1][4][5][6].

Citations:

1. International Geographical Indication Mobilization – Turkish Patent and Trademark Office
2. Türkiye’s Geography-Specific Products in Line for EU Registration – Anadolu Agency
3. Europe Grants PDO Status to Turkey’s Çizik Zeytini Table Olives – Olive Oil Times
4. Türkiye’s Menengiç Coffee Secures EU Geographical Indication – Daily Sabah
5. First EU-Registered Strawberry from Türkiye – European External Action Service

What is the EU geographical indication?

EU geographical indication (GI) is a system that protects and promotes names of quality agricultural products, foodstuffs, wines, and spirits linked to a specific geographical area. The system aims to safeguard the reputation of regional foods, promote rural and agricultural activity, help producers obtain a premium price for authentic products, and eliminate unfair competition and misleading of consumers by non-genuine products.

Key Aspects of EU Geographical Indications

Types of Protection:
– Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)
– Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)
– Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (TSG)

Products Covered:
– Food and agricultural products
– Wines
– Spirit drinks
– Aromatized wines

New Developments:
As of November 16, 2023, the EU has extended GI protection to craft and industrial products, with applications to be accepted from December 1, 2025[1][4].

Registration Process

1. Producers submit applications to their national authorities.
2. National authorities forward successful applications to the European Commission.
3. The European Commission evaluates and approves applications.
4. Approved GIs are published in the E-Ambrosia and GIview databases[2].

Benefits of EU Geographical Indications

• Protects product names from misuse and imitation
• Helps consumers by giving them information about the specific character of the products
• Supports rural economies by boosting farmers’ income and maintaining population in less-favored areas

Economic Impact

The sales value of GI-registered products in the EU increased by 42% from 2010 to 2017, reaching €77.1 billion in 2017, which represented 7% of the total food and beverage sector in the EU[2].

International Aspect

The EU GI system is open to products from non-EU countries, and the EU actively seeks to protect its GIs internationally through bilateral agreements and within the WTO framework[3].

Citations:

1. European Commission Publishes Regulation on Geographical Indications for Craft and Industrial Products – Ideas Powered
2. The Legal Armor of Local Production: Geographical Indication Protection in Türkiye and the EU – Mondaq
3. Geographical Indications – USDA EU
4. Geographical Indications and Traditional Specialities (EU) – Wikipedia
5. Türkiye’s Menengiç Coffee Secures EU Geographical Indication – Daily Sabah