The secret of Drniš Prosciutto is getting out.
The Official Journal of the European Union dated 8 December 2015 has published the implementing European Commission Regulation (EU) about the inclusion of the Drniš Prosciutto in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications, reports Poslovni.hr on December 8, 2015.
Croatia has thus received another product whose name is registered and protected in the common EU market, in addition to the prosciutto from Krk, extra virgin olive oil from Cres, mandarin oranges from Neretva, sour cabbage from Ogulin, Kulen from Baranja, potatoes from Lika and prosciutto from Istria.
The process of protecting the name “Drniš Prosciutto” was launched in June 2011, when the Association of Producers “Drniš Prosciutto” submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture an application for registration. The Ministry of Agriculture in March 2012 issued a decision on the registration of geographical indications which made the name “Drniš Prosciutto” protected in Croatia. In March 2014, the Ministry sent to the European Commission a request for registration of the protected geographical indications “Drniš Prosciutto” at the EU level. After the procedure, the name “Drniš Prosciutto” has been entered in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications.
The uniqueness of the Drniš Prosciutto are its specific characteristics, such as its less salty taste, mild aroma of smoke and a certain degree of dryness, resulting from traditional production methods and adaptation to local climate conditions, and its long-standing reputation and importance in the domestic market and abroad.
The connection between Drniš Prosciutto and its geographical environment, in addition to favourable climate conditions and the knowledge and skill of the local population, is a result of a long tradition of production in Drniš. Rich tradition of production has been created by successive generations of local residents who have skilfully used the “God-given” natural conditions. Due to its quality, the Drniš Prosciutto has always had a special reputation among the local population, while its extraordinary international prestige is demonstrated by the fact that it was served on the English court during the coronation ceremonies for Queen Elizabeth II, and again during the celebrations of the fiftieth anniversary of the coronation.
