THE HISTORY OF SIBIU SALAMI

The reason why Sibiu Salami is associated with the demarcated geographical area is especially historic. Indeed, there is a long tradition, over 100 years, in terms of obtaining the assortment, a tradition that continues today. This tradition is a specificity of the geographical area.

The history of Salami from Sibiu shows us, through certain proofs, that the production of the famous assortment started at the same time in at least 2 different areas in Romania, namely Mediaş and Prahova Valley (Sinaia). The history of this salami was closely linked to the development of agriculture in these areas, as well as to the formation within them of producer groups that specialize in the production of this product and which have, over time, contributed to the spread of production out of the Medias - Sinaia area and to consolidate this tradition in other areas of the specified area.

Sibiu Salami is a reputable product, one of the most widespread products in the defined geographical area, which is always on the lists of products offered to domestic and foreign clients, but also to national and international fairs where it is required to taste all visitors.

The analysis of the behavior of the Romanian meat products consumer, conducted in 2009 under the aegis of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, revealed (page 17) that this product is among the first 4 meat products in the top of the public preferences, 33.1% consuming this product frequently. In the forthcoming section (p. 18), the study points to the Salami of Sibiu as an example of "loyalty to a strong brand, known for a long time".

These trends are also confirmed by specialized magazines. Thus, in an article titled "Romanian Trademarks", published in the “Market” magazine on June 21, 2008, it is mentioned (page 7) that "Sibiu salami (...) are only a part of the Romanian brands competing successfully produce products to foreign players. "

Reputation, guaranteed by public recognition and numerous written sources, is based on a long tradition in obtaining and marketing the assortment. In the Royal period, marketing stems from the letters of command as well as from the documentation on the factories' production capacity.

During the communist regime, the renown of Sibiu Salam was strengthened by the construction of new factories (such as Bacau, Mediaş) and by participation in international fairs (eg Moscow - 1951, Leipzig - 1975). These activities continue now, the product being present at the SIAL 2010 international fair or the Trade Expo Show 2010, 2011 and 2012.

The specific manufacturing method given by the skill of the producers is also due to the local specificity, the process of industrialization of the assortment still including stages with a high degree of maneuverability. The visual and manual appreciation of the chopping, the manual spreading of the salt-spice mixture, the checking of the elasticity of the stick during smoking, the manual brushing of each stick requires a degree of knowledge and skill that most often is learned from generation to generation, from workers who have experience and intuition in getting the taste typical of Sibiu Salami.

The defined geographical area comprises a number of administrative-territorial units of Romania, namely Bacau, Brasov, Calarasi, Covasna, Ilfov, Prahova, Sibiu and Bucharest.

Bacău county has an area of 6,603 km2 and is located in the Moldavian region of northeastern Romania, bordering east with Vaslui County, south with Vrancea County, west with Covasna and Harghita counties and north with Neamţ County.

Braşov County has an area of 5,363 km2 and is located in the central part of Romania, in the southeast of Transylvania, on the middle course of the Olt River, inside the Carpathian Mountains arch. Braşov county is bordered to the east by Covasna County, to the southeast with Buzău County, to the south with the counties of Prahova, Dâmboviţa and Argeş, to the west with Sibiu County and to the north with the counties of Mureş and Harghita.

Călăraşi County is located in the southeast of the Muntenia region of Romania, in the southern part of the Baragan Plain and has an area of 5.088 km2. Călăraşi County is bordered to the east by Constanţa County, to the west by the Ilfov and Giurgiu counties, to the north by Ialomiţa County, and to the south by the Silistra and Rousse regions of Bulgaria.

Covasna County is located in the center of Romania, in the Transylvanian region, in the internal part of the Carpathians of Curvature, and is bordered to the east by the counties of Bacău and Vrancea, to the southeast with Buzău county, to the southwest with Braşov county and to the north with Harghita county. The total area of the county is 3,705 km2.

Ilfov County covers an area of 1,583 km2 and is located in the Muntenia region of Romania, in the center of the Romanian Plain. Ilfov County borders north with Prahova County, northwest with Dâmboviţa County, south and west with Giurgiu County, southeast with Călăraşi County and Northeast with Ialomiţa County.

Sibiu County is located in the south of the Transylvania region, north of the Southern Carpathians, bordering east with Braşov County, west and southwest with Alba county, southeast with Arges county, south with Valcea county and with north with Mures County. Sibiu County covers an area of 5,432 km2.

Bucharest is located in southeastern Romania, in the Vlăsia Plain, between Ploieşti in the north and Giurgiu in the south. Bucharest has an urban area of 285 km2.


WHERE DOES THE NAME SIBIU SALAMI COME FROM?

The history of the product can be traced back to the end of the nineteenth century when, in the heart of the Carpathians, a dry salami called "winter salami" followed by "salami from Sibiu customs" and finally "Salam of Sibiu ". This new product manages to attract the attention of the population in the area, but also from abroad, and soon becomes a benchmark for everyone.

The main manufacturers of the Salam of Sibiu from the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century were Jozsef Theil and Filippo Dozzi. The two sausage producers transformed Sibiu Salami into a luxury product that did not lack the most simplistic meals.

Due to the climatic conditions and the temperature that had to remain at a relatively low level throughout the process, production was limited to the winter months. That's why, in both geographical areas, the product was originally marketed under the name "Winter Salami".

When his popularity grew abroad, the export was done through Sibiu Customs because it was the crossing point on the Austro-Hungarian territory. Accordingly, the export stamp applied on the documents accompanying the merchandise included the phrase " Sibiu Customs ", which made the numerous orders from the external collaborators to be labeled "Salam from Sibiu Customs ".

Soon the product became easily known to the public as "Sibiu Salami". Thus, in the 1930s, this name became widely used by the various clients in the country, including by the royal house of Romania, witnessing in this respect the various letters of command from them.

In 1948, all factories producing Sibiu Salami were nationalized and passed into state ownership, during the period of communist opening three (three) new factories, in Mediaş, Bacau and Bihor. Immediately after the fall of the communist regime, other production units were also opened (Calarasi, Braşov-Feldioara) all located in the targeted geographical area.

The manufacturing process, including the reception of materials and materials, cutting of carcasses and pieces, chopping, filling of membranes, smoking with hardwood, sowing with noble mold, maturing, drying and storing takes place in the defined geographical area.

The salads began to produce Sibiu Salami since 1895. At the beginning of the 20th century, local sausages adapted the recipe of their technique and passed it from generation to generation. Thus, the Winter Salami became Sibiu Salami.

Today only the producers registered in the Association of Sibiu Salami Producers have the right to produce and sell the Sibiu Salami PGI, respecting the specific production criteria and especially the quality required by this unique product.


The content of this promotion campaign represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The European Commission and the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (CHAFEA) do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains.


 

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