rCROATIAN PROTECTED AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PRODUCTS, VARAŽDINSKI KLIPIČ

VARAŽDIN KLIPIČ PROTECTED GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION The Varaždin klipič ("Varaždinski klipič") is a handmade wheat milk pastry sprinkled with cumin seeds, made from fine wheat flour, milk, sunflower (or vegetable) oil, yeast, sugar and salt, which are used to make a thin dough that is then stretched, cut into strips and rolled in the shape of a stick. When baked, a Varaždin klipič is a stick that has 4 folds on both sides and is at least 25 cm long. The inside of a baked Varaždin klipič is white in color, interspersed with small, irregular holes formed when the dough rises, while the outer surface of its crust takes on an uneven color ranging from a dark-yellow to golden color, and is coated with egg and sprinkled with cumin seeds. When consumed, the Varaždin klipič has a crunchy mouthfeel, with an initial impression of softness on the palate, before melting in the mouth. It has a milky, slightly sour taste. The Varaždin klipič is produced in the Varaždin County, and the name itself, as well as the recipe for its production, which is passed down from generation to generation, first appeared in the 18th century. The gastronomy of Varaždin County is heavily influenced by Central European cooking, but by preserving the old folk recipes native to this region, it has managed to retain its autonomy. The Varaždin klipič was first produced by housewives from the Varaždin region, who used wheat and maize flour – the main ingredients in Varaždin cuisine – and their own ingenuity and culinary skills to make the bread sticks by hand, the way it is still made to this day. Over time, the process for making the Varaždin klipič passed from local housewives to bakers in the Varaždin region, who over many years gained experience and knowledge of how to prepare the Varaždin klipič, which was handed down the generations. That is how the tradition for making the Varaždin klipič was established, a tradition that would go on to include both housewives and bakers. With the development of the hospitality industry, the Varaždin klipič was promoted as a recognizable product of the Varaždin region and became an unavoidable part of the gastronomic offering of almost every restaurant. The name "Varaždinski klipič" was registered at the level of the European Union on 6 October 2020 as a protected geographical indication, which protects it from any form of misuse throughout the European Union. Only those products that have been produced according to the Product Specification for the Protected Geographical Indication "Varaždinski klipič" and for which the producers hold a valid Certificate of Conformity of their product with the Product Specification issued by an authorized delegated body may be placed on the market under the name "Varaždinski klipič". Source: Ministry of Agriculture https://poljoprivreda.gov.hr/