Croatian buckwheat crackers from Varaždin win the Superior Taste Award

(Photo credit: OPG Pocedulić)

by Srecko Mavrek

A family farm from Gornji Kućan near the city of Varaždin in Croatia have come up trumps for their buckwheat crackers. 

OPG Pocedulić’s “Varaždinske heljde” crackers have won a very high overall rating and the International Superior Taste Award of the International Taste Institute based in Brussels.

The Superior Taste Award is a world-class recognition that, after evaluating the quality of food products, is awarded by more than 200 judges who are selected from the most prestigious culinary associations not only in Europe, but also beyond. 

This award, which signifies a product of exceptional taste and confirmed quality, is an indicator of the excellence of the domestic raw material (“Varaždin buckwheat seeds”), the dedicated work of OPG Pocedulić members and the realization of their intentions to offer customers the highest quality and healthiest food product possible.

(Photo credit: OPG Pocedulić)

“We as an OPG (family farm) are honored with the recognition we received. This is confirmation for us that we are moving in the right direction with our offer aimed at end consumers. We are honored to be the first OPG in Croatia to receive this recognition. The fact is that we are a small family farm that is slowly taking firm steps and we have no intention of stopping. Recently, the e-consultation ended, during which “Varaždin buckwheat” was finally included in the “List of domestic and domesticated varieties of agricultural plants” and we are the registered guardians of the variety, growers, processors and, well, recognized processors,” emphasized Dario Pocedulić, the head of OPG Pocedulić.

(Photo credit: OPG Pocedulić)

“In addition to buckwheat porridge, flour, semolina, flakes, pasta, grinders, and our crackers are certified gluten-free, they contain a high proportion of minerals and antioxidants. Buckwheat contains almost twice as much lysine as wheat and rice, it has a better use of proteins, but it does not contain fat like spelt and brown rice. Buckwheat hides most of its minerals in the fruit and seed coat, which is why it is recommended to use semolina, which we have in two varieties. Therefore, I recommend all buckwheat lovers, including those who have to consume it for health reasons, to come to us in Gornji Kućan for purchase or place an order online. In this way, they will contribute to the further development of OPG and the development of new, innovative products from Varaždinske heljde,” said Dario Pocedulić.

(Photo credit: OPG Pocedulić)