7 years ago, a product extremely appreciated and used by Romanians became, officially, recognized as country brand, being registered in the “Official Journal of the European Union”. Sibiu salami thus became one of the first products internationally recognized as an original Romanian brand, and today we can find it both in Lidl, Kaufland or other supermarkets, but also exported to important markets in Europe. But, as in the case of many other products, it is more than certain that there are many who do not know a few things about Sibiu salami. Read on and see what it’s all about.
Salami from Sibiu, a history of 128 years
We’ve all heard of it, we’ve all eaten it and we’re still eating it today. Salami from Sibiu, became protected brand, has a history that comes from the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, somewhere in the heart of the Carpathians. At that time, the name of this product was “winter salami”. Later, its name would be changed to “salami from Sibiu customs” and, finally, the name we all know today. Those who would produce this salami, so well known today, were Jozsef Theil and Filippo Dozzi. The two sausage producers turned salami into a luxury product that was not missing even from the simplest meals.
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The two producers, in the first phase, due to the fact that the production process was mostly done in winter, as a result of the climatic conditions and the temperature, the product was initially marketed under the name “winter salami”. Salami would become one of the most sought-after products, and its export was only done through Sibiu customs, which was the crossing point on the Austro-Hungarian territory, and those who bought this product renamed it “salami from Sibiu customs” , and the stamp on the documents that accompanied the product had the mention “Sibiu Customs”, hence the new name.
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It was also consumed by the Royal House of Romania
Later, starting in 1930, the name was changed, being known from that moment with this name, being consumed including by the Royal House of Romania. 18 years after the change of name, in Romania most of the factories that produced this salami, after the communists came to power, would be nationalized, later three new factories were opened in Mediaș, in Bacău and in Bihor. After 1990, other factories were opened in Călărași and in Feldioara, in Brașov county.
You didn’t know this about Sibiu salami
But, as I said, Sibiu salami would become protected brand and recognized as country brand, in 2016, and today there are at least 6 official producers, approved by the state, that produce salami. At the same time, on the Romanian market, at least, Sibiu salami is sold under 16 distinct brands, most of which can be found in Lidl, Kaufland or other supermarkets.
According to the Association Pro Consumatori (APC), even today this much appreciated product is manufactured under the title of “protected geographical indication” (IGP) in the following areas:
“The delimited geographical area includes a series of administrative-territorial units of Romania, respectively the counties of Bacău, Brașov, Călărași, Covasna, Ilfov, Prahova, Sibiu and the Municipality of Bucharest.
The manufacturing process, including receipt of materials and materials, slicing of carcasses and parts, chopping, filling of membranes, smoking with hardwood, seeding with noble mold, ripening, drying and storage is carried out in the defined geographical area.
The name, followed by the mention “Protected Geographical Indication” or the acronym PGI (translated into the language of the country where the product is marketed) must be clearly marked on the label or on the possible hologram, so that it can be distinguished from any other mention . ”, reads the description of the APC.
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As for the 16 distinct marks, the salami appears as follows, according to the same institution previously mentioned:
Sibiu salami manufactured by Salbac Bacău is sold under the following brands:
- Agricola, brand of the Agricola group;
- Dear Romania, Carrefour’s own brand;
- Metro Chef, Metro’s own brand;
- Auchan, Auchan own brand;
- Our Pantry, Lidl’s own brand.
Sibiu salami manufactured by Reinert Braşov is sold under the following brands:
- Reinert, manufacturer’s brand;
- Selgros, own brand Selgros;
- Our Pantry, Lidl’s own brand;
- Carrefour, Carrefour’s own brand.
Sibiu salami manufactured by Salsi Sinaia is sold under the following brands:
- Angst, brand of the Angst Group;
- The Boieresc Inn, Penny’s own brand;
- I want from Romania, own brand Kaufland.
The Sibiu salami manufactured by Prodcom Impex Reconocunția is sold under the following brands:
- Cris-Tim, manufacturer’s brand;
- Massa Boiereasca, Profi’s own brand.
Aldis Călăraşi sells Salami de Sibiu under the Aldis brand.
Scandia Food Sibiu sells Salami de Sibiu under the Sibiu brand.
Conclusion
In addition to being one of the oldest Romanian products, Sibiu salami is considered among the few products of its kind that respect the tradition and the old recipe of 128 years ago.
