The thickened caramel candy confection known as cajeta made in the Jalisco town of Sayula has been granted Protected Geographical Indication status by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI).
This special status can be given to a product from a specific geographical origin that has a reputation or quality that is essentially attributable to it.
Cajeta, also known as dulce de leche, is produced in other parts of Mexico, which means the foodstuff cannot obtain a specific “designation of origin” label from IMPI. For example, the city of Celaya in the state of Guanajuato is also famed for its cajeta production.
Cajeta has been produced in Sayula, located 60 miles west of Guadalajara, for more than 100 years.
The emblematic local product is identifiable by its small, characteristic, handmade, oval wooden boxes. The wood comes mainly from the nearby Juanacatlán mountain range, and pine is also used as a raw material. The aroma and flavor obtained during the browning of the surface of the cajeta is due in part to the characteristics of this wood.
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