The Commission has approved today the addition of ‘Istra’, an olive oil common to Croatia and Slovenia, to the register of Protected Designations of Origin (PDO). After ‘Istarski pršut/Istrski pršut’, a smoked ham registered in 2015, this is the second time Croatia and Slovenia agree to share a common PDO.
‘Istra’ is an extra virgin olive oil made from olives harvested and processed in the Istrian peninsula. The soil and climate of this region favour olive growing and the activity developed at a faster pace in the second half of the twentieth century.
However, its roots are ancient and Roman amphorae discovered bore the inscriptions Oleil Histrici (Istrian oil) and Olei flos (first-press oil). The oil has a moderate to intense aroma of fresh olives with notes of fruit, vegetables or green vegetation of different intensities.
The new denomination will be added to the list of over 1,440 products already protected.
This is the 21st registered product (food, wine and spirits included) to be covering at least two Member States.
