Senirkent Grape Molasses

Isparta Province’s Senirkent district is associated with a product bearing a geographical indication, produced traditionally from the Dimrit variety of grape. This product was registered by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on 17.03.2022. The history of this grape molasses carries significance for the culinary culture and economy of the geographical area where viticulture has long been practiced.

Product Characteristics

Senirkent grape molasses possesses qualities derived from the characteristics of the grape variety used in its production. The Dimrit grape used in production has dark purple to black berries, an oval shape, and contains seeds; the individual berry weight ranges from 2 to 2.5 grams, and the cluster weight ranges from 220 to 250 grams. The product has unique physical and chemical properties. The total acidity of the molasses varies between 0.3% and 0.4%, while the HMF content ranges from 75 to 100 mg/kg. The glucose content is between 30% and 40%, and the fructose/glucose ratio is approximately 0.9 to 1.0. The total ash content is between 1.2% and 1.3%, the soluble solids content is between 70% and 80%, and the pH value ranges from 4.5 to 5.0.

Production Method

Senirkent grape molasses is produced using traditional methods within the defined geographical area. The production process includes the following stages:

• Harvesting and Juice Extraction: Dimrit grapes grown in Senirkent are harvested. The grapes are placed in coarse sacks and crushed barefoot in a designated area called “hatıl” to extract the juice.
• Soil Addition and Boiling: The extracted grape juice is transferred to copper cauldrons. To reduce sourness and acidity, 4 kilograms of pekmez soil (white earth) are added for every 100 kilograms of juice, and the mixture is boiled for a specified duration.
• Skimming and Settling: Foam forming on the surface during boiling is continuously removed with a ladle. After boiling is complete, the juice is left to settle for one day to allow separation from the soil and other sediments.
• Filtration and Thickening: The settled juice is filtered and then boiled further in large copper cauldrons until it reaches a thick consistency.
• Consistency Testing: As boiling continues and foam is removed, red foam appears on the surface. When a drop of molasses from a wooden spoon falls onto a clean plate and does not spread, it indicates that the desired consistency has been achieved.
• Storage: Once the desired consistency is reached, the molasses is removed from heat and cooled. It can be stored for up to one year in clean glazed ceramic jars or glass bottles at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.

Geographical Boundary

The geographical boundary of the product is defined as Isparta Province, Senirkent District. Due to the historical roots of Senirkent grape molasses, its importance to the local culinary and economic traditions, and the requirement that only Dimrit grapes grown within this geographical boundary may be used in production, all stages of production must be carried out entirely within this defined area.

Monitoring

Monitoring of Senirkent grape molasses is coordinated by the Senirkent Municipality. The monitoring body consists of at least three members, including one expert representative each from the Senirkent Municipality, the Senirkent District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Senirkent Chamber of Agriculture.

Monitoring is conducted regularly once a year. Additional inspections may be carried out at any time if required or in response to complaints.

The monitoring criteria are as follows:

• The grapes used in production must be the Dimrit variety grown in Senirkent.
• The molasses must be produced in accordance with the prescribed production method.
• The use of the label “Senirkent Grape Molasses” and the official geographical indication emblem must be compliant.

The registering institution manages the process of protecting legal rights, and the monitoring body may seek support from expert individuals or legal entities from public or private organizations during inspections.