Montélimar nougat obtains a protected geographical indication in the European Union

This type of soft or brittle nougat is exclusively made in this town in Drôme and its surrounding areas.

Montélimar nougat, an emblematic confectionery of this Drôme town, has benefited from a protected geographical indication (PGI) since Tuesday, November 26. “It’s a source of great pride. We are a small sector: we represent 200 direct jobs. There are 13 manufacturers involved in the process”welcomed Marie-Claude Stoffel, co-president of the union of nougat manufacturers of Montélimar.

This type of nougat is exclusively made in this city and its surroundings “according to specific know-how, developed over several centuries, and with ingredients conforming to ancient recipes”explains the European Commission in a press release. Let it be hard and “brittle” or tender and “soft”it will join the list of more than 3,500 products already protected in the EU, she added.

“White to cream base dough, aerated with egg white and made up of sweetening materials, in particular honey, with a filling consisting of almonds possibly supplemented with pistachios”nougat is inseparable from the city of Montélimar for a large majority of French people, according to the union. To meet the IGP, the product must meet certain criteria, in particular 30% of toppings (roasted sweet almonds alone or with 2% pistachios), and a precise quantity of honey.