Cupter, often referred to as the Herzegovinian homemade gummy candy, has received a geographical indication, which will aid its promotion and distribution in both domestic and international markets. This traditional sweet is produced exclusively in the regions of Brotnjo and Ljubuski.
Antoni Sajin has been dedicated to producing this Herzegovinian delicacy for years. He is the only registered cupter producer in the country and hopes that others, who currently make this sweet in their homes, will follow in his footsteps. He explains that obtaining the geographical indication wasn’t easy but was well worth the effort.
The Director of the Food Safety Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Dzemil Hajric, emphasized that this product had been largely forgotten, but a group of enthusiasts is now bringing it back into focus. With this designation, additional opportunities for marketing the product are being opened.
The project was spearheaded by the “Ante” Society from Tepcici near Citluk, which has been organizing the Cupter Fair for six years. This year, visitors will once again have the chance to learn about the production and storage process of cupter and the raw materials used in its preparation.
“It is made from native Herzegovinian grape varieties, Zilavka and Blatina – white and black sorts – and is prepared by cooking unfermented grape juice with flour or semolina, or a combination of both,” explains Sajin.
For decades, this sweet was often the only treat available to housewives in what was once impoverished Herzegovina, and it was most commonly served during Christmas celebrations.
“People were always resourceful; I am a witness to those times. When it came time to make cupter, the men would aim to get as much wine as possible, while the women would save a little for making cupter,” says Mario Doko, president of the “Ante” Society.
Today, this product is also recognized among foreign tourists seeking authentic local cuisine. Antoni Sajin states that his goal was to elevate cupter to the same level as burek and cevapi: “When tourists in Mostar want to try traditional gastronomic offerings, they can try cupter and cevapi – but cupter can also be taken as a souvenir. My goal was to create a food-souvenir, and I think we’re on the right track.”
He believes that the geographical indication will assist in achieving this goal. The designation of origin represents the pinnacle of product evaluation on a national level, and the next steps involve protection beyond these borders, within the European Union (EU).
