“Appellation of origin shall be understood to be a geographical designation consisting of the name of a particular country, region or locality, which name is used to designate a product originating therein the qualities and characteristics of which are exclusively or essentially due to the geographical environment in which it is produced, including both natural and human factors”
Authenticity is a proud label to wear and an appellation of origin has been helping to secure and protect both products and consumers. In short, an appellation of origin protects certain products specific to certain regions and geographical environments with unique qualities that cannot be replicated elsewhere. This protects the products from imitations and forgeries. Not only does this guarantee authenticity, it also guarantees protection. Every product that has the designation of origin must also be verified by Profeco to meet the Mexican Official Standards that guarantee its quality and manufacturing process.
Habanero Chiles, one of Mexico’s 14 products with denomination of origin.
The first product in Mexico to receive protection of the appellation of origin was “tequila,” issued by the National Chamber of the Tequila Industry after alcoholic beverages with the name “tequila” started popping up around the world. After the request was granted, other Mexican products followed suit making up the current 14 Mexican products that have a Denomination of Origin.
Tenangos
At Tenangos Restaurant & Cigar Shop, all of the products except vanilla can be found, the only restaurant in Mexico to have that many, guaranteeing an authentically tasty experience. The restaurant is located at The Shoppes at Palmilla and features hand-picked local products, ancient recipes and almost 50 mezcal options. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all offered for a day of genuine Mexican cuisine. Read on for the 14 products and where they come from in Mexico.
1. Tequila: Alcoholic beverage obtained through a particular variety of agave called tequiliana Weber (Jalisco, Nayarit, Tamaulipas, Michoacán and Guanajuato)
2. Olinalá: Mexican crafts made out of wood that comes from the lináloe tree (Guerrero state)
3. Mezcal: Alcoholic beverage made with agave (Guerrero, Oaxaca, Durango, Zacatecas and San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato)
4. Talavera: Handmade product made with clay from the region (Puebla and Tlaxcala)
5. Chiapas Amber: The municipality of Simojovel produces 90% of the total amount of amber extracted from Chiapas and it has 25 million years (Chiapas)
6. Charanda: Alcoholic beverage obtained from the distillation and fermentation of the sugar cane juice or its derivatives like piloncillo and melaza (Michoacán)
7. Sotol: Alcoholic beverage obtained from the plants known as sotol or sereque (Chihuahua, Coahuila and Durango)
8. Mango Ataulfo: Characterized by its pulp, which has a firm consistency, sweet taste and low acidity (Chiapas)
9. Coffee from Chiapas: Ground roasted Green coffee grown in the volcanic soils and suitable weather due to its temperatures and humidity levels (Chiapas)
10. Bacanora: Beverage obtained through the fermentation of certain “tunas” (cactus fruit) in the state of Sonora (Bacanora, in the Sonoran mountain range)
11. Coffee from Veracruz: High-acidity coffee, intense aroma and full-bodied and grows in volcanic soils (Veracruz)
12. Vanilla from Papantla: Ripe fruit from the Mexican orquid plant called vanilla planifolia Andrews and a mix from subspecies (Veracruz, Puebla)
13. Chile Habanero: One of the spiciest chiles in the world (Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatán)
14. Rice from Morelos: Plant, grain and rice seed in all of its varieties: palay, brown and pulido (Morelos)