“Safranbolu Safranı” saffron of Karabük wins EU recognition
The recognition by the EU will help to protect the name of “Safranbolu Safranı” saffron and to promote the product and its unique characteristics linked to geographical area of production as well as traditional know-how.
“Safranbolu Safranı” saffron is obtained from the blooms of a purple aromatic plant grown in the villages of the Safranbolu district of Karabük province. The crimson stigma part of the bloom is dried in its original shape without being crushed or powdered, preserving its colour. This dried product is used as saffron.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Türkiye, Ambassador Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, says: “Türkiye has a long-standing culinary tradition and an extensive range of products, from cheese to spice. The EU registration will increase this saffron’s recognition in Türkiye and beyond and will play a pivotal role for both producers and consumers. The consumers will know that they are getting the genuine ‘Safranbolu Safranı’ saffron when they see the logo.”
DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO TÜRKIYE
Saffron is obtained from the red parts of the blooms of this purple aromatic plant
The cultivation of saffron in Safranbolu, which has a semi-dry climate with little humidity properties, is closely related to the climatic characteristics of the region. The planting, hoeing, and especially the harvesting of the saffron are done manually and carefully. The saffron flowers are harvested in the early morning when the flowers are still closed in bud form to obtain high-quality saffron by preserving the essential oils of the plant. After that, the stigma part is removed from the bloom in one piece by experienced hands. This is the most important process of the saffron production.
Muammer Dumaner, President of Safranbolu Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen, the applicant institution, says: “We use saffron in meat dishes, cooked rice and ‘zerde’ dessert. The EU registration means that genuine saffron will be recognised in the world. The value of our product will increase more.”
Huriye Özener, the trademark and patent consultant who carried out the application process in the chamber’s name, reflects: “We are very proud. With ‘Safranbolu Saffron’, Türkiye has become the first country in Europe to have saffron registered by the EU and the second country in the world to have spices registered by the EU after China. Saffron, which gives its name to the district, has many uses, including weaving, food, gastronomy, medicine, and cosmetics. Saffron cultivation has been carried out in Safranbolu since ancient times, and its production is increasing year by year. With the EU registration, we aim to increase the export of this product, whose quality level surpasses the products in the world markets.”
DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO TÜRKIYE
Huriye Özener and Muammer Dumaner
The producers from Safranbolu are also positive about this development. “The most important thing that will distinguish the saffron produced in Safranbolu from the saffron produced elsewhere is the PDO logo. In this way, our saffron will get the position it deserves; it will be recognised, produced, and sold more,” says the producer and Manager of Safranbolu Saffron Producers Association İsmail Yılmaz. Another producer, Cemal Ünal, states: “It is proud that a product produced in our city and even our village is recognised in the EU. Fraud saffron is also sold in the market; now, consumers will be able to distinguish it from genuine saffron.”
Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye
The EU has previously awarded PDO and PGI (protected geographical indication) status to other product names from Türkiye: “Antep Baklavası / Gaziantep Baklavası”, “Aydın Kestanesi”, "Aydın İnciri", “Bayramiç Beyazı”, “Malatya Kayısısı”, “Milas Zeytinyağı”, “Taşköprü Sarımsağı”, “Giresun Tombul Fındığı”, “Antakya Künefesi”, “Suruç Narı”, “Çağlayancerit Cevizi”, “Gemlik Zeytini”, “Edremit Zeytinyağı”, “Milas Yağlı Zeytini”, “Ayaş Domatesi”, “Edremit Körfezi Yeşil Çizik Zeytini”, “Maraş Tarhanası”, and “Ezine Peyniri”.
