Flour power as Waterford’s humble blaa rises again

From humble beginnings over 300 years ago, the famous Waterford blaa now joins an elite group of foods following a ruling from the EU. It was confirmed yesterday that the soft, floury bread roll known as the blaa is being awarded protected geographical indication (PGI) status, putting it on a list with the likes of Parma ham and Camembert de Normandie cheese.

The designation – just the fifth to be awarded to an Irish food – follows an application by the Waterford Blaa Bakers Association, formed in 2009 when four traditional family bakeries in Waterford and south Kilkenny came together to protect the blaa as a traditional Irish food product.

M&D Bakery, Hickey's Bakery, Barron's Bakery and Kilmacow Bakery were yesterday delighted that their famous bread product has been successful with its PGI application.

Traceability scheme
"The Waterford blaa is now produced under a new traceability scheme which clearly defines recipes and baking processes," Dermot Walsh of M&D Bakery said. "All bakers must follow EU-approved guidelines and the Waterford blaa can only be produced within the geographic area of Co Waterford and its surrounds."

Esther Barron of Barron's Bakery said that, because of the stringent traceability and production processes needed for PGI status, consumers were "assured of the best quality and taste".

Protection against imitation
Brian Hickey of Hickey's Bakery said the public would now have protection against imitation products. "Basically, bakers who are members of the Waterford Blaa Bakers Association are the only bakers that can produce and market the Waterford blaa."

The bakers received support in their application from Waterford City Enterprise Board, Bord Bia and the food industry development division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The blaa began life in the 1690s when the French Huguenots arrived in Ireland and introduced white flour and their baking skills to this country. The blaa is made by shaping small balls of dough, flattening them and baking them.

Other Irish foods which have PGI status are Clare Island Salmon, Connemara Hill Lamb, Timoleague Brown Pudding and Imokilly Regato.