In the south of Serbia, where the days are long, the land is rich and the sun is golden, a pepper with a special name and an even more special taste is born – Kurtovska Kapija .

This autochthonous variety is not just paprika – it is the heart of every good ajvar, a sign of recognition of the local table and a symbol of a region that knows how to protect what is valuable. And if you ask us, it’s no coincidence that it’s shaped like a heart.

In the fertile valleys of the Jablanica district, on about 800 hectares of land , Kurtovska kapija is still grown carefully today – with patience, knowledge and experience passed down through the generations. Of that, only 200 hectares are under greenhouses , because here they still believe in the sun, the earth and the weather. The climate, the quality of the soil and the household hand give this pepper what makes it special – a robust body, a rich fleshy part, a thinner stem in a darker shade and, above all, a sweet, full flavor that is memorable.

Pepper cultivation in these regions has a long history. - Vranje - 1897-1898. year French mission Cuverville filmed a group of traders and their peppers.

At Žuto List, we know that good paprika does not come from large factories, but from small farms and gardens where it is worked with love. That’s why we’ve been working with local producers and farms for years, families who know this variety better than anyone. We know who picks the peppers, when is the best time to process them, and how to keep each jar of that scent reminiscent of winter, a warm stove, and family gatherings.

Yellow leaf ajvar and Mezetluk owe their distinctive taste to Kurtovska gate. Each bite contains a wealth of vitamins – C, A, B and E – as well as minerals such as potassium, phosphorus and iron. But what binds us most to this variety is not only its nutritional value – but the fact that it is part of our story, our mission to preserve tradition and give it a place in today’s times.

That’s why we say we’re not just manufacturers. We are guardians – we guard the Kurtovska gate, we guard small producers, we guard homemade recipes and we fill each jar with care, as in the past.