CROATIAN PROTECTED AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PRODUCTS, Lički škripavac

“Lički škripavac” is a soft, full-fat cheese obtained by coagulating raw or pasteurized whole cow’s milk using rennet and a dairy starter culture, followed by separation of the whey. It is produced without aging and therefore has no rind. “Lički škripavac” has a soft, elastic texture and is cylindrical or rectangular in shape. Its surface is milky white and rindless; when cut, the paste is closed or contains a small number of mechanical openings formed by retained whey during shaping. Its flavor is milky and mildly sweet with moderate saltiness, and it is particularly recognizable for its characteristic squeak when eaten. Depending on the quality of the milk, the cheese retains this squeaky property for the first 5 to 7 days; it can be restored by immersing the original vacuum-sealed cheese in warm water. “Lički škripavac” is produced in the geographic region of Lika, within three administrative regions, primarily in Lika-Senj County, and to a lesser extent in Zadar County and Karlovac County. “Lički škripavac” originated from the inability to transport goods from remote, snow-isolated villages in Lika to nearby towns due to long winters and roads blocked by snow and drifts. It is a specific regional product of a livestock-raising population that produced this cheese solely for its own sustenance, particularly during the long, snowy winter months characteristic of Lika. The cheese’s distinctive squeaky texture results from the high fat and protein content of the milk, itself a consequence of the specific feeding practices of cows in this area. Beyond its everyday practical value in the lives of residents of the mountainous coastal hinterland and Lika, the production of “Lički škripavac” is a recognizable symbol of regional identity. Its reputation is reflected in numerous traditional economic, cultural and folkloric events through which the traditions, customs and cultural heritage of the Lika region are preserved and presented, with “Lički škripavac” featured as one of the symbols of Lika. Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (from the Product Specification for the PGI “Lički škripavac”; https://poljoprivreda.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/dokumenti/hrana/zoi-zozp-zts/dokumenti-zoi-zozp-zts/Izmijenjena_Specifikacija_Licki_skripavac.pdf)