A sheep’s milk cheese from Türkiye has been awarded geographical indication (GI) by the European Union, acknowledging its origins in the Erzincan region in the east of the country and the traditions behind its production.
What is Erzincan Tulum and what does GI status mean?
Erzincan Tulum cheese, made with ewe’s milk and barrel-matured for at least four months in casings made of sheepskin or goatskin, is now officially described by the EU as having an off-white colour, crumbly texture and rich, salty flavour. Those characteristics are influenced, the EU agrees, by a range of local conditions, including the region’s climate, geography, and flora, as well as the know-how of locals who make it.
The GI designation gives the cheese legal protection across all EU member states, meaning only cheese made in specified areas using the right methods as per the registration documents and specifications can be called Erzincan Tulum.
A wealth of unique Turkish products
Erzincan Tulum cheese is not the only Turkish product to have achieved GI status. A range of other goods, from baklava, honey, apricots, peaches and olives, to garlic, nuts, yoghurt, and coffee, all benefit from EU protections too.
“We congratulate Türkiye on the registration of Erzincan Tulum Cheese as the 32nd Turkish product to receive Geographical Indication (GI) protection in the European Union,” the EU Delegation to Türkiye said on social media platform, X. “This recognition highlights the richness of Türkiye’s local and traditional products and strengthens the cultural and economic ties. We commend the efforts of all institutions and individuals involved in this achievement, including the Erzincan Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” the statement added.
Often served at breakfast, alongside olives, tomatoes, and fresh bread, Erzincan Tulum also pairs well with beetroot or grilled vegetables, such as peppers, and is also used in savoury Turkish pastries, like börek and pides.
Erzincan Tulum Cheese receives EU Geographical Indication!
— AB Türkiye Delegasyonu🇪🇺EU Delegation to Türkiye (@EUDelegationTur) May 27, 2025
We congratulate Türkiye on the registration of Erzincan Tulum Cheese as the 32nd Turkish product to receive Geographical Indication (GI) protection in the European Union.
🇪🇺🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/okZtZhCn8V
The benefits of GI status
The EU began looking at product protections like geographical indication back in 1992. The status is generally considered a positive for consumers and producers alike. It is powerful for brand-building and marketing and, although it can increase prices, buyers are often willing to pay more for the authenticity and quality associated with GI products. The label is also claimed to help preserve local cultural heritage and traditional production methods associated with the region concerned.
Famous GI products include champagne, which can only legally carry that name if it is produced in the Champagne region of northeast France. Other countries around the world, including China and India, also have their own systems for recognising the uniqueness of particular products from certain areas.
