Croatia has just added two more names to its culinary register: Banski chestnut honey and Čepin cabbage have both been awarded Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status by the European Union, lifting the country's total of EU-protected food and agricultural products to 54.
The honey comes from Banovina in central Croatia, an area better known for its forests than its food fame. Made from the nectar of sweet chestnut blossoms, it has a distinctive amber colour, a strong floral aroma and a noticeable bitterness — a very different profile from your standard supermarket honey. The Petrinja Beekeeping Association led the application, hoping to protect the product's authenticity and shine a light on the region's beekeeping traditions.
Čepin cabbage, meanwhile, is a local white cabbage variety from the Slavonian town of Čepin in eastern Croatia. It's recognised for its pronounced aroma, a flavour that mixes sweetness with a touch of bitterness, and a texture that's crisp but tender. The variety was only officially recognised in 2016, and every stage of its cultivation takes place within a defined area — the key requirement for PDO status, which ties a product's character directly to its home turf.
Croatia's agriculture minister, David Vlajčić, marked the occasion by teasing one more addition to come: Slavonian ham is expected to earn protection soon.
What does this mean for travellers? Plenty. Croatia's PDO and PGI products — think Pag lamb, Dalmatian prosciutto, olive oils from Cres and Korčula — are a ready-made route into the country's regional food culture. Eating PDO-labelled honey in Petrinja's markets or hunting down cabbage dishes around Čepin puts money directly into the hands of small producers and keeps local traditions alive. For food-focused visitors, it's also a practical shopping guide: the PDO label guarantees you're getting the real thing, not an imitation.
Banovina and Slavonia both sit well off the Adriatic tourist trail, which is precisely their appeal. Pair a visit with Sisak's riverside history, or fold Čepin into a trip through Osijek and the Drava valley. Either way, you'll taste a Croatia most visitors never find.
