Strict Laws Govern These 10 Products
Some food and drinks are so tied to a region that they simply aren’t as good if they’re made anywhere else. In order to protect consumers from being duped into buying lesser versions (and to build up their national products), many countries have passed laws establishing particular methods of making these delicacies, from beer in Germany to mozzarella in Italy. Here’s what you need to know before enjoying some of the world’s most famous food products.
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1Beer, Germany
Last year (2016) marked the 500th anniversary of the Reinheitsgebot, Germany’s beer purity law. Proclaimed by William IV, the Duke of Bavaria, the measure codified the only ingredients allowed for brewing beer: barley, hops, water, and later, yeast. The law was designed to protect the country’s health, and had the benefit of helping Germany earn its reputation as the land of superior brews. The downside is that current drinkers now think the purity law has stunted Germany’s craft brewing scene and stifled creativity.
Brewers that ignore the law by adding in fruits or spices are now leaving the word “beer” off the label.
