Hatay Zahter Salad / Hatay Oregano Salad

Hatay Zahter Salad / Hatay Oregano Salad is a distinctive salad composed primarily of zahter (oregano), green onion or dried onion, parsley, olive oil, pomegranate molasses, and various spices. It was officially registered as a geographical indication by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on 19 July 2024. The product has deep roots in the culinary culture of Hatay province and is intrinsically linked to its geographical boundaries. Therefore, all stages of production must take place within the registered geographical area.

In preparing the salad, fresh zahter leaves are cleaned and trimmed. During preparation, water is sprinkled over the zahter, gently rubbed for a short time to reduce its bitterness, and then rinsed. When salting is not performed, pomegranate molasses and olive oil are used to mitigate the sharpness. Tomatoes and garlic may be added optionally. The Hatay Zahter Salad / Hatay Oregano Salad was registered due to its significant place within the regional food culture and its established connection to its geographical origin.

The ingredients of the product consist of approximately 500 grams of zahter, one bunch of green onion (or 200 grams of dried onion), one bunch of parsley, 165 grams of pomegranate molasses, 200 grams of olive oil, 4 grams of red pepper powder, and 8 grams of salt.

The preparation of the Hatay Zahter Salad / Hatay Oregano Salad involves the following steps:

1. The zahter is washed, the leaves are trimmed and chopped.
2. The washed green onion or dried onion and parsley are chopped separately.
3. The chopped parsley, onion, and zahter are mixed together.
4. Pomegranate molasses, red pepper powder, and olive oil are added to the mixture.
5. Salt is added, the mixture is rubbed and stirred, then served.
6. Chopped tomatoes and garlic may be added optionally before serving.

The geographical boundary of the product is Hatay province. Due to the product’s importance within the region’s culinary culture and its established link to its geographical origin, all production stages must be carried out within this defined geographical area.

The oversight of the Hatay Zahter Salad / Hatay Oregano Salad is conducted by a five-member control body established under the coordination of the Hatay Governorate, with participation from an expert appointed by the Hatay Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry and another expert appointed by the Hatay Governorate. Inspections are carried out at least once annually, and additionally whenever deemed necessary or upon complaint.

The control body verifies the appropriateness of the ingredients and their quantities, compliance with the production method, and the correct use of the product name (Hatay Zahter Salad / Hatay Oregano Salad) and the geographical indication emblem. During inspections, experts from public or private institutions may be consulted or services may be procured. The registering authority manages the process of safeguarding legal rights.