“Ajika” Acquires the Status of a Geographical Indication

Granting the status of a geographical indication to “Ajika” means that the distinctiveness, uniqueness and high quality of this product will be recognized and confirmed by the state. According to the procedure, the official information, together with the application materials submitted for registration, will be published in the Official Bulletin on Industrial Property on June 10 of the current year. If within 3 months from the publication, no additional information is submitted to Sakpatenti, “Ajika” as a geographical indication will be added to the State Registry of Geographical Indications.

In the registration materials presented to Sakpatenti by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, it is noted that “Ajika” is of Abkhazian origin, which is also confirmed by its initial title “Apirpil-jika” (Abkhazian – peppery salt). To prepare classical Abkhazian “Apirpil-jika”, only a few ingredients were used. These were: red hot pepper, salt, garlic and dried coriander. At present, walnuts and various spices and greens added to taste are also considered as traditional ingredients for making “Ajika”.  In the specifications it is stressed that the rich and unique aroma of Ajika is determined by the distinctive taste and aroma of its ingredients, namely, the greens grown in Georgia and spices made from them as well as by the intensity of essential oils obtained as a result of their processing. In addition to the product description and link to the geographical area, the application materials also provide the method and stages of preparation, the geographical area of production, confirmation of origin and labeling, including in Abkhazian: „Аџьыка“ and „Ихьчоу Агеографиатә Дырга“. The area of further distribution of this product under the name “Ajika” became Samegrelo, later, Western Georgia and even entire Georgia. Today this product can be found on every Georgian feast. 

Geographical indications play a significant role in the regional development of countries, which facilitates creation of new jobs and increasing of incomes, they not only reduce work force drain, moreover stimulates attraction of new manpower, besides, increases the region awareness and facilitates development of rural tourism.