27/09/23 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 27 September, the European Commission announced the addition of ‘Allåkerbär från Norrland’ as a Swedish Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product. ‘Allåkerbär från Norrland’ is the name given to Arctic raspberries grown in open fields in the counties of Norrbotten and Västerbotten. There are seven varieties of allåkerbär, four of which can be included in ‘Allåkerbär från Norrland’: Anna, Linda, Sofia and Beata. At least two varieties must always be included, as different varieties are needed for the plant to produce berries. The taste of the ripe berries is complex, with notes of cranberry, redcurrant, sherry, earth cellar, sea buckthorn and blackberry. As allåkerbär is self-sterile and a crop must include different varieties, cross-fertilisation contributes to the complexity of the taste. This new designation will be added to the list of 1,655 food products already protected at EU level. (LC)