It contains the humblest of natural ingredients, was invented by crofters to sustain them during the winter months, and has been made the same way for centuries.
Now, after a five-year battle, Stornoway Black Pudding has finally gained the foodie equivalent of international red-carpet celebrity status.
The European Commission has conferred upon it Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), which means its unique blend of (in order of quantity) beef suet, oatmeal, onions, sheep's, cow's or pig's blood, and salt and pepper, prepared and processed by butchers in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, cannot be copied by producers elsewhere and branded "Stornoway" Black Pudding.
The pudding now joins an elite list of more than 1000 products already protected by the EU legislation. These include Gorgonzola, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Camembert, Champagne and Parma Ham, as well as UK foods Melton Mowbray pork pies, Arbroath Smokies, Cornish Pasties, Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Scottish Farmed Salmon.
What makes Stornoway Black Pudding different from other regional versions is the fact that its principal com-ponent is beef suet. It was described by EC examiners as "moist, rich, tasty, well seasoned but not spicy, with pleasant non-oily mouthfeel, and a fresh aftertaste", and it has been on the menu at Cafe Gandolfi in Glasgow for more than 20 years.
PGI status is designed to protect the reputation of regional foods, promote rural and agricultural activity, help producers obtain a premium price for their authentic products, and eliminate the unfair competition and misleading of consumers by non-genuine products, which may be of inferior quality or different flavour.
Butchers on the Isle of Lewis launched a campaign in 2008 for their famous dish – known as marag dubh – to be awarded special European status, in order to protect it after concerns were raised over the sale of "Stornoway-Style Black Puddings" of a lesser quality and produced outwith Lewis.
The campaign was spearheaded by Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant working alongside four Stornoway butchers – Charles Macleod, A France & Sons, WJ MacDonald and MacLeod & MacLeod.
Ms Grant said: "I am delighted. It's really good news. It took a while but that's just the normal length of time these things take. We had to show there was a legitimate reason for protecting the product, not just to try and beat competition.
"It will give butchers in Stornoway recognition and a better marketing tool, which will be of economic benefit to the islanders."
Donnie Morrison, manager of Charles Macleod Butchers in Stornoway, said: "The Stornoway Black Pudding Producers' Association are delighted to have achieved recognition through the PGI accreditation for our product. It has been a long, hard-fought journey and we have been so encouraged by the support that we have received.
"Our aim has always been to protect the Stornoway brand – it's a food product that is intrinsically linked back to the Outer Hebrides and we have a duty to safeguard the islands' food heritage."
Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan and MP Angus MacNeil welcomed the decision.
Mr Allan congratulated local butchers and producers for taking a stand, saying the marag "deserves to be protected from imitators".
Mr MacNeil said: "Stornoway black pudding is worthy of being awarded protected status. It is very tasty, rich in iron, and I often enjoy eating Stornoway black pudding."
Meanwhile, cheesemaker Ann Doward applied for PGI status for her Traditional Ayrshire Dunlop six years ago, and is still waiting. On hearing the news about Stornoway Black Pudding, she said: "PGI status is good because it makes a product unique to the local area and locks in its history for generations to come. I'm hoping my special cheese will be next."
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