SLOVENIA, July 8 - Istrski med can only be produced in the geographical area of Slovenian and Croatian Istria. In Slovenia, this covers the area of the Primorska municipalities of Koper, Izola, Piran and Ankaran, while in Croatia it covers the Istrian peninsula with its islands in Istria County, namely the municipalities of Opatija, Lovran, Mošćenička Draga and Matulji, the islands of Cres and Lošinj with the associated smaller islands of Unije, Ilovik, Susak, Vele Srakane, and a number of smaller uninhabited islands. Istrski med is marked by a single symbol in the shape of a drop of honey.    

Istria is a unique agro-ecological area with a high diversity of relief, pedology, geomorphology and climate. The interaction of these factors results in a diverse plant composition, which makes an excellent basis for the production of the various types of Istrski med, such as acacia, sage, chestnut, linden, lime and savory honey, as well as flower honey and forest honey. The different types of honey have specific organoleptic characteristics (colour, smell and taste) due to the combination of pollen proportions.

In addition to the honey’s production, packaging must also take place in the defined geographical area, as this is the only way to minimise the possibility of adulteration by mixing with similar products, which is much more likely if packaging takes place outside the area. Before beekeepers start labelling their honey with the protected name 'Istrski med', they must obtain a certificate from the certification bodies proving that the beekeeper produces 'Istrski med' in accordance with the approved specification.

Istrski med is the fourth product that Slovenia and Croatia have jointly protected through the European Commission. The other protected products are Istrski pršut, Istra olive oil and Meso istrskega goveda – boškarina. Slovenia has so far protected 29 products through the European Commission.