DOP Sidra d’Asturies

This constitutes one of the Asturian Quality Marks, and arguably the most important of them. When something is as wildly popular as cider is in Asturias, the possibility of fraud and inferior products creeps into the market over time. Instead of the neo-liberal injunction caveat emptor (let the buyer beware), a DOP is designed to inform and forearm the consumer, so that quality products in the market can be readily identified.

What is a DOP?

DOP stands for Denominacion de Origin Protegida. In English, Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).

The concept of a Designation of Origin (DOP) refers to the use of certain terms, usually the names of places, cities or regions, to designate a product that is highly valued by consumers because of its origin, quality and particular method of preparation. This EU program provides legal enforcement of naming rights to certain food products. While not technically a measure of quality control, it does at least mean that when you buy "Asturian Cider" it was made in Asturias, and not in a factory in Poland.

Not all DOP regulators in the world enforce more than geographic origin. However some, including DOP Sidra d’Asturies, take quality control as an integral part of their mission.

Guarantee of Origin

Not all cider made in Asturias is DOP cider. Some use apples from elsewhere, or from varieties not in the list of accepted types. Those ciders, while many times made in the same facilities as DOP ciders, do not get the DOP seal. Indeed, it is common for a llagar to have one DOP cider and one or more non-DOP ciders in their line up.

Guarantee of Quality

The DOP Sidra d’Asturies goes beyond geographical control, and mandates certain processes, methods, and chemical sampling regimes to ensure that the cider meets certain quality standards.

From orchard practices to processing methods, to fermentation and bottling, the regulator mandates standards for how the apples, raw cider, and fermented cider are handled.