Aguamiel de Hidalgo now has a new seal of identity. The Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) has granted the Geographical Indication (GI) designation to six regions of the Mexican state of Hidalgo where, since ancient times, this sweet and nutritious liquid has been extracted from maguey plants.
With this, the aguamiel produced in Hidalgo is recognized as a national asset. In simple terms, this means that only producers in specific areas will be able to market it under the official designation, always with the authorization of the IMPI and accompanied by the legend “Protected Geographical Indication” (PGI).
The declaration, published last Friday in the Official Gazette of the Federation under the name “Aguamiel de la Región Aguamielera de Hidalgo” (Honey Wine from the Honey Wine Region of Hidalgo), covers 44 of the state's 84 municipalities. They are grouped into six historic maguey areas:
· The Tulancingo Valley
· The Plains of Apan
· The Sierra Baja
· The Mining Region
· The Basin of Mexico
· The Mezquital Valley
The official document describes aguamiel as an “amber-colored, translucent liquid with a characteristic aroma and sweet, fruity flavor, composed mainly of simple sugars, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and microorganisms with prebiotic and probiotic potential.”
In addition to protecting local producers, the declaration opens the door to international recognition of the GI, a process that IMPI will take before the relevant bodies within the framework of Mexico's trade treaties and agreements.
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