Obazda gains PGI in Germany

The European Commission has named Bavaria’s Obazda as one of the cheese specialities with a protected geographical indication. This means, when using the name “Obazda” or “Obatzter”, it must be made in the area by traditional methods.
“Obazda is a Bavarian speciality in Germany with a long tradition in the local cuisine. The European protection is the recognition of expertise of the cheese-dairy country Bavaria,” says Maria Linderer, managing director of the Bavarian State Dairy Technology Association (LVBM), which has lobbied for the designation since 2005.

Obazde is the fourth protected cheese from Bavaria. Allgauer Emmentaler, Allgäu mountain cheese and Allgäu Weisslacker also carry the PDO.

Piquant Obazda, also known as ‘beer garden cheese’, is traditionally eaten with rye bread or pretzels and often served with radishes or radish. The traditional recipe is usually composed of Camembert or Brie, butter, paprika and salt. The proportion of Camembert or Brie should be at least 40 to 50% of the total cheese content.