Greek Cheese ‘Kashkavali Pindou’ Receives EU PGI Status

The European Union has officially recognized the Greek cheese called ‘Kashkavali Pindou’ by adding it to the Register of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI). This designation will be integrated into the eAmbrosia database, which currently lists 3,619 safeguarded products.

‘Kashkavali Pindou’ is a semi-hard cheese renowned for its unique production method involving heated curds. It features a creamy white to yellowish hue and a cylindrical form. Its flavor profile is slightly tangy with a mild saltiness, setting it apart from other cheeses of its kind. The cheese’s distinctive taste is enhanced by the routine addition of salt during production and the use of milk with a high fat content, which imparts a strong and rich aroma.

The cheese originates from a region historically inhabited by pastoral nomads, who have perfected a specialized production technique suited to the area’s rugged, mountainous terrain. This traditional method has not only contributed to the cheese’s esteemed status but also bolstered its reputation as a prominent regional product.

Almost every region in Greece is home to a diverse array of agricultural products, with the total number of PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) products now standing at 116—comprising 80 PDO and 36 PGI items.

This extensive list features over 20 varieties of cheese, numerous olive oil labels, distinctive olive types, fruits, vegetables, nuts, honey, legumes, wines, Krokos Kozanis (saffron), Chios mastiha, and traditional Messolonghi bottarga.

The addition of this Greek cheese to the relevant list is the latest in a string of other products. In April, the prestigious list of Greek agricultural products received a new addition: ‘Kissouri Honey.’ This latest entry into the European Union’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) category is produced in the southern part of Evia Island, particularly in the scenic and rugged Karystia region.