Not many of us are familiar with Geographical Indication (GI). If you have heard or consumed Gayo Arabica Coffee, Java Preanger Tea, Koerintji Cinnamon, East Luwu Pepper, Bali Amed Salt, Moloku Kie Raha Cloves, Siaw Nutmeg, and Sumbawa Honey, to name a few, then you have already come across a GI. This short list is just a handful of agricultural products among 90 other names that already protected as Indonesian GIs.
So, what is GI anyway?
A geographical indication (GI) or Indikasi Geografis in Indonesian language is a distinctive sign used to identify a product whose quality, reputation, or other such characteristics relate to its geographical origin.
The concept of GI originated from the French's terroir. It is how a particular region's climate, soils and terrain affect the taste of agricultural products. The concept of GI is best portrayed through the French's Champagne. GIs can be used for a variety of products including foodstuffs, beverages, and handicrafts. The specific origin of a GI product and its unicity differentiate it from other similar products and confer the right of protection under Intellectual Property Law.
The European Union-funded ARISE+ Indonesia, under the aegis of the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) in the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and the Directorate General of National Export Development in the Ministry of Trade, produced a series of culinary shows dubbed Cooking Ambassadors. The show aims to showcase the use of Indonesian agricultural GIs as food ingredients in traditional European and Indonesian dishes.
DGIP Deputy Director of International Cooperation Unit, Mr Fajar Sulaeman, said, "This is certainly a very good campaign initiative from ARISE+ Indonesia in supporting the promotion of Indonesian GIs, and as we would certainly like to see more of Indonesian agri-food GIs being used in the food and culinary sectors among others. Moreover, the GI label is to guarantee the authenticity to consumers who can then be sure of the qualities of the products they are buying."
Hosting the shows were the Indonesian celebrity chefs Bara Pattiradjawane and Imam Ragil Wibowo, and food columnist Santhi Serad. The three shows respectively featured the EU Ambassador to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, H.E. Vincent Piket; the Hungary Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E Judith Pach; and the Polish Embassy Chargé d'Affaires, Mr Piotr Firlus as Special Guests. Together with one of the chefs, they demonstrated the making of simple European dishes which include Lecsó, a traditional Hungarian yellow pepper stew; Pierogi, a traditional vegetable Polish dumpling; and Hachée, a traditional Dutch beef and onion stew. Complementary refreshments served during the shows include Gayo Arabica Coffee, Java Preanger Tea, Hungarian-style Apple Soup, Polish-inspired Fruit Kompot, and Saraba a gingerly and spiced drink from Sulawesi.
The EU Ambassador to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Mr Vincent Piket said, "I enjoyed participating in the Cooking Ambassadors culinary show organised by ARISE+ Indonesia. It is a great marketing initiative for raising awareness on the use of Geographical Indications in culinary. The European Union and Indonesia will continue to boost the development and promotion of Geographical Indications together in both territories."
Thirteen Indonesian GIs featured in the shows:
- Adan Krayan Rice from North Kalimantan
- Alor Islands Vanilla from East Nusa Tenggara
- Amed Salt Bali from Bali
- Cianjur Pandanwangi Rice from West Java
- East Luwu Pepper from South Sulawesi
- Gayo Arabica Coffee from Takengon, Aceh, Sumatra
- Java Preanger Tea, from West Java
- Koerintji Cinnamon, from Jambi, West Sumatra
- Kulon Progo Jogja Coconut Sugar from Yogyakarta
- Minahasa Cloves from Sulawesi
- Moloku Kie Raha Cloves from Maluku
- Siaw / Siau Nutmeg from South Sulawesi
- Sumbawa Honey from West Nusa Tenggara
The Cooking Ambassadors were launched during the celebration of Europe Day on the EU social media platforms, from 7-9 May 2021 at 12:00 pm (Western Indonesian Time/GMT+7).
