Tekei gyúrt sajt receives European Union protection

The traditional Tekei gyúrt sajt, a cheese produced in the Teaca village of Bistrița-Năsăud county, has been added to the European Union's list of protected geographical indications. This recognition ensures that only cheese produced within the specified region using traditional methods can be marketed under this name.

The cheese is made from raw, unpasteurized cow's milk and undergoes a unique process of acidification, heating, and kneading. A distinctive feature of its production is that the warm, malleable cheese mass is placed into cleaned natural pig bladders, which are then sewn shut. This traditional packaging method is essential for developing the cheese's specific texture, aroma, and rind.

According to the EU registration, all critical production stages—from receiving the raw milk to the final kneading and bladder-sewing—must take place in the Teaca area. The resulting product is characterized by a soft, creamy, and dense texture, with weights typically ranging between 0.4 and 2 kilograms.