Ayvalık Sakızlı Kurabiye

Ayvalık Sakızlı Kurabiye is a traditional cookie unique to the Ayvalık district of Balıkesir, characterized by its round shape, damask gum flavoring, and sesame coating. Following an application submitted by the Ayvalık Municipality on 3 June 2022 (File No: C2022/000164), it was officially registered as a Geographical Indication (Registration No: 1328) by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on 26 January 2023. The geographical boundary is defined as the administrative limits of the Ayvalık district.

Geographical Indication Process and Usage Conditions

• Application Date / No: 3 June 2022 / C2022/000164
• Registration Date / No: 26 January 2023 / 1328 – Protected as a Geographical Indication
• Registered by: Ayvalık Municipality
• Geographical Boundary: All raw materials must be cultivated and all production stages carried out within the administrative boundaries of Ayvalık district, Balıkesir Province
• Usage Conditions: The term “Ayvalık Sakızlı Kurabiye” and the geographical indication emblem must appear on the product or its packaging; if packaging is not feasible, the emblem must be visibly displayed at the production facility
• Monitoring: At least one annual inspection is conducted by a minimum three-member oversight committee composed of experts from the Ayvalık District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ayvalık Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen, under the coordination of Ayvalık Municipality; additional inspections may be carried out as deemed necessary

Ingredients and Distinctive Characteristics

The production definition stated in the registration certificate is as follows:

• Ingredients: Wheat flour, margarine or natural filtered olive oil, eggs, fresh yeast, baking soda, damask gum, white sugar, sesame
• Size and Shape: Approximately 7 cm diameter round cookies
• Traditional Production Method: The production technique has been practiced in Ayvalık for many generations and dates back to at least 1923

Production Methodology

• Damask gum is ground into powder by crushing it together with white sugar previously stored at −18 °C in a stainless steel bowl
• Dough preparation: Flour is sifted; yeast, oil, gum-sugar mixture, eggs and baking soda are combined and kneaded into a homogeneous dough, which is then divided into 26 equal portions
• Each portion is brushed with egg yolk and coated with sesame, then baked in an oven preheated to 180 °C for approximately 22 minutes. After cooling for 10 minutes at room temperature, the cookies are served

Regional Identity and Gastronomic Value

Ayvalık Sakızlı Kurabiye, a part of Ayvalık’s gastronomic heritage, has been officially recognized through its Geographical Indication certificate as a distinctive flavor of the district. This registration institutionalizes the direct link between the product and the Ayvalık region.

As one of the products added to the Ayvalık Municipality’s gastronomy portfolio, it aims to enhance local economic value and employment potential.