European Commission approves Geographical Indication from Cyprus

The European Commission approved today the addition of cheese from Cyprus to the register of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI).

“Χαλίτζια Τηλλυρίας / Halitzia Tillirias” is a soft to semi-hard white cheese from Cyprus, made from heat-treated fresh goat's milk, rennet and salt. It is matured in salted whey for at least forty days and has a soft to semi-hard and quite crumbly texture with characteristic holes of different sizes and shapes. The cheese has a fresh taste, with a lemony and slightly salty aroma.

Due to the characteristic shape of the cheese, its pure white colour and the irregular holes inside, which give them a rough appearance, like stones polished smooth by the action of seawater, the chunks of ‘Χαλίτζια Τηλλυρίας / Halitzia Tillirias' resemble the large white pebbles found by the sea. These specific characteristics have given the product its name. Expertise in the production of ‘Χαλίτζια Τηλλυρίας / Halitzia Tillirias' is often passed down from one generation to the next, and to this day it is still produced in small household businesses or in the homes of the inhabitants of Tilliria. This product is now added to the register of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI).

The list of all protected geographical indications can be found in the eAmbrosia database. More information is available online at Quality Schemes and on our GIView portal.