site.btaEC Approves Strandzha Herbal Tea as Protected Designation of Origin

The European Commission has approved the inclusion of a new product in the register of quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs: Strandzhanski bilkov chay (Strandzha herbal tea) from Bulgaria has been granted the status of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), the Commission said on Tuesday.

Strandzha herbal tea is cultivated in the Strandzha mountain range in southeastern Bulgaria. The tea has a distinctive aroma, combining mint, linden blossom, and hints of dried fruit, and is known for its high antioxidant activity. Cultivation is entirely manual and follows traditional practices adapted to the region’s unique limestone soils, high levels of sunshine, and humid sea breeze.

This new designation joins more than 3,663 protected names already listed in the eAmbrosia database.

The addition of this uniquely Bulgarian tea to the European register of protected agricultural products aims to safeguard product names in order to promote their specific characteristics, linked to geographical origin and traditional production know-how. Thanks to the recognition of geographical indications, consumers can trust in the quality of the products, while producers can better market their output.