Zara Sac Bread

Zara Sac Bread is a traditional bakery product uniquely associated with the Zara district of Sivas province. Its main ingredients are wheat flour, yeast, rock salt, and either caș (whey cheese) or whey. The dough is prepared and baked on a metal griddle heated over a wood fire. Due to its long historical roots and strong geographical association with its place of production, it was officially registered with a geographical indication on 09.12.2021. Its production is supervised by the Zara Chamber of Agriculture that obtained its registration.

Zara Sac Bread is produced in three varieties: plain, potato-filled, and caș-filled. It is shaped to a thickness of approximately 1.5 cm. Its form features a flat bottom and a slightly convex top, with indentations and protrusions created by finger pressure. One of its distinguishing features is the use of caș or whey in the dough. After production, it can be stored for up to 2 months in a refrigerator and up to 6 months in a deep freezer, provided it is properly packaged. It is recommended to reheat before consumption.

The production of Zara Sac Bread follows these essential steps:

• Salt, water, whey (or caș water), flour, and yeast are mixed and kneaded for approximately 15 minutes.
• The kneaded dough is covered with a thick cloth and left to rest for 30 minutes (fermentation).
• Small dough balls are formed by hand from the fermented dough.
• Traditionally, on the family table, these dough balls are hand-rolled into circular shapes with a diameter of approximately 25 cm and a thickness of 1.5 cm. The bottom remains flat while the top becomes slightly convex.
• The rolled dough is placed on the heated metal griddle with its flat side touching the surface and baked.
• The bread is then flipped to bake the top side, after which it is ready for sale. The concave part of the griddle faces the wood fire, and the bread is baked on its oval (back) side.
• For the potato-filled or caș-filled varieties, fillings are prepared. Boiled or roasted potatoes are mixed optionally with tomato paste to make the potato filling; caș and parsley are combined to make the caș filling.
• The prepared filling, approximately 150 grams, is placed in the center of the rolled dough, and the edges are sealed to prepare it for baking.

The production, processing, and all other operations related to Zara Sac Bread must be carried out within the boundaries of the Zara district of Sivas province, due to its historical connection and geographical reputation.

Supervision to ensure compliance with the registered product specifications is coordinated by the Zara Chamber of Agriculture. The supervisory body is a three-member committee composed of one expert each from the Zara Chamber of Agriculture, the Zara District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Zara District Directorate of Health. Inspections are conducted regularly once a year, and additionally when necessary or in response to complaints. During inspections, the suitability of ingredients, production methods, packaging, and storage conditions are verified. The correct use of the designation "Zara Sac Bread" and the geographical indication emblem is also monitored. The supervisory body may seek expert support from public or private institutions during inspection processes.