A head of Carpathian bryndza

Hutsul bryndza (Ukrainian: Гуцульська бринза) is a type of Ukrainian cheese, produced from either sheep's or cow's milk, which has the status of a geographical indication in Ukraine.[1]

Hutsul bryndza has been produced in the Hutsul region for several centuries and is an integral part of Hutsul cuisine and culture.

Hutsul sheep bryndzia

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Hutsul sheep bryndzia (Hutsul dialect: бриндзя) is the first geographical indication that meets Ukrainian requirements and is eligible for recognition in the EU. The application for this status was submitted by the Public Union "Association of Producers of Traditional Carpathian High Mountain Cheeses" in 2018.

Hutsul sheep bryndzia is an uncooked table cheese made from the milk of Ukrainian Mountain-Carpathian sheep in an amount of at least 80%, with the possibility of adding no more than 20% cow's or goat's milk. The sheep graze on high-mountain summer pastures in the Ukrainian Carpathians. The geographical indication is certified.[2][3]

Hutsul cow bryndza

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Hutsul cow's milk bryndza became the second Ukrainian registered geographical indication food product after Hutsul sheep bryndzia. It is a similar uncooked table cheese made from cow's milk in an amount of at least 70%, with the possibility of adding no more than 30% sheep's or goat's milk.[4]

Characteristics

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For the inhabitants of the Hutsul region, bryndza is one of the main traditional staple dishes, after bread, kulish (millet porridge) and banosh.[5] The sheep's milk cheese is made from the milk of sheep grazing on mountain meadows, following techniques that date to the 15th century and have been passed down from generation to generation by the population of the Hutsul region.

Recognition

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  • In Rakhiv, a "Hutsul Bryndza" festival is held annually.
  • In Kolochava, there is a monument to a shepherd with a small sheep.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Гуцульська бринза стала першим захищеним географічним брендом в Україні". The Village Україна (in Ukrainian). 2019-12-09. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  2. ^ "ЗАКОН УКРАЇНИ". wipolex-res.wipo.int. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  3. ^ "Зазначення походження товару | Міністерство економіки України". me.gov.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  4. ^ Бреза, Ірина (2020-09-29). "Гуцульську коров'ячу бринзу вироблятимуть за європейськими стандартами, але «дідівськими» методами". Радіо Свобода (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  5. ^ "Фестиваль-ярмарок «Гуцульська бриндзя»". ООМЦК (in Ukrainian). 2018-08-12. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  6. ^ "Гуцульська бринза – «біле золото» Карпат – Блог про тури Україною". vidviday.ua (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 2025-01-15. Retrieved 2025-05-15.