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Two traditional food products from eastern Türkiye, Erzincan Tulum Cheese and the Cimin grape, have been accepted into the international Slow Food Ark of Taste platform, a global catalogue that highlights traditional foods considered at risk of disappearing.
The development was announced by the Northeast Anatolia Development Agency (KUDAKA), which led the application process to bring greater international recognition to the region’s traditional agricultural and food heritage.
According to KUDAKA, the agency submitted the application to the Italy-based Slow Food Ark of Taste, an international initiative that documents and promotes traditional food products facing the risk of disappearing due to industrial agriculture, environmental change, or the loss of traditional knowledge.
Following the evaluation process, Erzincan Tulum Cheese and Cimin grape were officially added to the platform’s list of protected gastronomic heritage items.
The agency explained that the recognition aims to help protect and promote the region’s production culture, biodiversity, and traditional knowledge while also increasing their visibility on an international scale.
KUDAKA described the newly recognized products as important representatives of Erzincan’s long-standing culinary heritage.
Erzincan Tulum Cheese is produced through a livestock tradition built around high-altitude pastures in the region, giving the cheese its distinctive aroma and character.
Meanwhile, the Cimin grape stands out due to the specific microclimate conditions of the area where it is cultivated, which contribute to its unique qualities.
In its statement, KUDAKA said the acceptance of the two products into the Ark of Taste marks an important milestone for the region’s culinary culture.
"Following the application process carried out by our agency, Erzincan Tulum Cheese and the Cimin grape, which represent the deep-rooted gastronomic heritage of Erzincan, have been accepted into the Slow Food Ark of Taste platform that features traditional products from around the world facing the risk of disappearing," the statement said.
The agency added that the recognition will help bring greater international attention to the region’s local production culture, biodiversity, and traditional know-how.
KUDAKA also noted that the cheese and grape varieties are now recognized globally as products that should be preserved as part of the world’s shared gastronomic heritage.
The agency stressed that efforts to register, protect, and promote local values will continue.
Officials described the recognition as a sign of the region’s rich culinary culture and said the inclusion of the two products on the Ark of Taste demonstrates how local traditions can reach beyond regional borders and gain global recognition.
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