Uniqueness given by origin: discover the significance of the geographical designation of Kampot pepper

Human culture has given rise to a number of incredible products that stand out for their uniqueness and long-standing tradition. To make it easy to distinguish these products from similar but less quality ones, they are awarded a geographical indication trademark. This trademark also protects the uniqueness of the pepper grown in the Kampot region, which is unrivaled in the world.

The trademark works the same way as Champagne in France

Thanks to the so-called protected geographical indication, buyers are assured that they hold a product in their hands that will surprise them with its exceptional character, which is largely determined by the geographical area where it was produced.

To better understand how this method of product protection works, let's use one of the most famous examples that is protected by a geographical indication. It is Champagne wine, a drink that must not be missing at any significant event.

You don't have to be a wine expert to know that Champagne comes from the French province of Champagne-Ardenne. The fertile slopes here are ideal for growing delicate sparkling wine with a specific taste. However, sparkling wines are also grown in other parts of France and even in other parts of the world. Therefore, it was necessary to clearly distinguish for consumers which wine should be labeled as the true Champagne and which is just its distant relative.

Olomouc curd cheeses, French wine, and Kampot pepper have a lot in common

Besides, on our journey to exceptional products from specific locations, we don't have to go far at all. We have 23 of them right here in the Czech Republic. If you have ever tasted the traditional Wallachian frgál, explored what is hidden between the crispy layers of Hořice wafers, or wrinkled your nose at Olomouc curd cheeses, then you have most likely had the honor of encountering a purely Czech product with a protected geographical indication.

Just like the sparkling treasure from France or the matured delicacy from Olomouc, peppercorns grown in the Cambodian Kampot region are also uniquely protected by this trademark worldwide. The location in the south of the country offers exceptional conditions for growing pepper in the form of fertile soil combined with the humid climate coming from the sea and the shadows cast by the peaks of the Bokor Mountains.

A national treasure needs to be cared for

It is precisely this place that influences the specific taste of the local peppercorn fruits. However, this is not the only difference that distinguishes Kampot pepper from others. A big role in the uniqueness of this spice is also played by the way it is grown, which in the families of local farmers has been passed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years. No mechanization, no pesticides, and only natural fertilizers. Everything here is in maximum harmony with nature and the refined taste of this pepper.

And that is exactly the reason why this pepper was granted a  geographical trademark. Thanks to it, no other product can claim to be this specific pepper. No counterfeit that does not come from the picturesque Kampot, does not contain residues of chemical fertilizers and sprays, and whose taste is only a bland imitation of the real original, can deprive you of the unique experience of Kampot pepper.

However, the trademark of this pepper also protects the farmers who grew it. It is proof of their diligence and daily determination to fulfill their dreams through sweat and calluses on their hands.