Description
The Geraardsbergse Mattentaart PGI is a round cake made with puff pastry and milk curd.
Production Area
Geraardsbergse Mattentaart PGI is made in the town of Geraardsbergen and the adjoining municipal area of Lierde, both located in the province of West Flanders, in the Flanders region.
Production Method
This starts on the farm with finely minced curd made from fresh raw milk, buttermilk and possibly with the addition of vinegar. The milk and curd must come from farms in the production area and the cake, which is made with eggs, sugar, puff pastry and possibly almond extract, must also be made in the production area.
Appearance and Flavour
Geraardsbergse Mattentaart PGI is a round cake with a diameter of between 8 cm and 10 cm which is topped in a golden puff pastry. It is very sweet with strong milky notes.
History
The making of Geraardsbergse Mattentaart PGI has a long tradition dating back to the 17th century and over the centuries has become more and more popular until it has become one of the symbolic foods of Flanders. Since 1980, the makers have held an annual festival in the main square of Geraardsbergen called Dag van de Mattentaart in honour of this cake. Further proof of the fame of Geraardsbergse Mattentaart PGI is that it has appeared on postage stamps since 1985.
Gastronomy
Geraardsbergse Mattentaart PGI cakes must be stored in a cool dry place. They must be eaten cooked but they may be frozen raw and baked in other areas outside the production area. They can be eaten as a snack or as an elegant dessert. They are very good with sparkling wines or sweet white wine.
Marketing
These cakes are sold as Geraardsbergse Mattentaart PGI. They are either marketed frozen and raw or freshly baked. In the first instance they may be baked outside the production area as long as the end retailer can guarantee that they were made by a registered baker.
Distinctive Features
Geraardsbergse Mattentaart PGI cakes are filled with curd produced exclusively in the production area thus conferring them with their distinctive taste.
