Hutsul bryndza

Hutsul brynza (Ukrainian: Гуцульська бринза) is a product of the sheep and cattle industry of Ukraine, which has the status of a geographically defined product in Ukraine.^[1]

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

Hutsul sheep bryndzia is the first Ukrainian 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 a table cheese, not cooked, made from sheep's milk in an amount of at least 80%, with the possibility of adding no more than 20% cow's or goat's milk. The milk of Ukrainian Mountain-Carpathian sheep (at least 80%) is used to produce the cheese, which graze on high-mountain summer pastures — the mountain pastures of the Ukrainian Carpathians. Certificate of geographical indication.^[2][3]

Hutsul cow's milk brynza became the second Ukrainian registered geographical indication food product after Hutsul sheep bryndzia.

Hutsul cow's brynza is a table cheese, not cooked, 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]

For the inhabitants of the Hutsul region, bryndza is one of the main traditional dishes, it is considered the third bread, after bread, kulish and banosh.^[5] The cheese is made according to the traditions of the 15th century. from the milk of sheep grazing on mountain meadows. The local population of the "Hutsul region" preserves the skill of making bryndza and passes it on from generation to generation.

• In Rakhiv, the "Hutsul Bryndza" festival is held annually.

• In Kolochava, there is a monument to a shepherd with a small sheep.^[6]

• Bryndza