A protected designation of origin protects the name of products that come from a specific region or that are produced using a unique, traditional method.

The European Commission has approved that the name Borzag pálinka can be added to the EU list of protected spirit products as a new protected geographical indication (PGI).

The basic ingredient of Borzag pálinka is a fruit distillate made from the drupe fruit of wild elderberry (pedestrian elderberry), also known as badger, from the territory of Nógrád county.

The production of Borzag pálinka in Nógrád county goes back centuries. Given the traditions, almost all commercial distilleries in the county make brandy from badgers. The plant is also only called badger there, elsewhere it is called elderberry. The concoction is characterized by sweet aromatic notes and a spicy taste.

The name Borzag pálinka was added to the EU list of 260 already protected spirit products, available in the eAmbrosia database, with the decision of the EU Commission.

There are currently 3,843 protected designation of origin products in the eAmbrosia database, which records geographical indications (GI) of agricultural and food industry products, wines and spirits registered and protected in the European Union. Currently, the names of 107 Hungarian food industry products are protected in the territory of the European Union.

MTI