List of Portuguese food and drink products with protected status facts for kids
Portugal is famous for many delicious foods and drinks! Some of these special products have a unique "passport" that protects their name and where they come from. This protection is called Protected Geographical Status. It's a rule from the European Union and UK law.
There are three main types of protection:
- PDO (Protected Designation of Origin): This means the food is made in a specific place, using traditional methods. Everything, from growing to making, happens in that area. In Portuguese, it's called DOP (Denominação de Origem Protegida).
- PGI (Protected Geographical Indication): This means the food has a special quality or reputation because it comes from a certain place. At least one part of its production happens in that area. In Portuguese, it's called IGP (Indicação Geográfica Protegida).
- TSG (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed): This means the food is made using a traditional recipe or method, but it doesn't have to come from a specific place. In Portuguese, it's called ETG (Especialidade Tradicional Garantida).
These rules started in 1992. They help make sure that special regional foods keep their unique quality and name.
In 2021, Portugal had many products with these protections:
- 94 Portuguese PDOs
- 85 Portuguese PGIs
- 1 Portuguese TSG
It's important not to confuse these with DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada). DOC is a different system used only in Portugal. This list comes from the European Commission and shows many, but not all, protected products.
Olive Oil and Olives: Portugal's Liquid Gold
Portuguese Olive Oil
Portugal makes wonderful olive oil! Many types have a special PDO status, meaning they come from specific regions and are made in traditional ways.
- Azeite de Moura (PDO)
- Azeite de Trás-os-Montes (PDO)
- Azeite do Alentejo Interior (PDO)
- Azeites da Beira Interior (PDO)
- Azeite da Beira Alta (PDO)
- Azeite da Beira Baixa (PDO)
- Azeites do Norte Alentejano (PDO)
- Azeites do Ribatejo (PDO)
Special Portuguese Olives
Even olives themselves can have special protection! These olives are known for their quality and how they are prepared.
- Azeitona de Conserva Negrinha de Freixo (PDO)
- Azeitonas de conserva de Elvas e Campo Maior (PDO)
Delicious Portuguese Meats
Portuguese Beef
Portugal has many types of beef that are protected. This means the cattle are raised in specific regions, giving the meat a special taste and quality.
- Carne alentejana (PDO)
- Carne Arouquesa (PDO)
- Carne Barrosã (PDO)
- Carne Cachena da Peneda (PDO)
- Carne de Bravo do Ribatejo (PDO)
- Carne da Charneca (PDO)
- Carne Marinhoa (PDO)
- Carne Maronesa (PDO)
- Carne Mertolenga (PDO)
- Carne Mirandesa (PDO)
- Carne dos Açores (PGI)
- Carne de Bovino Cruzado dos Lameiros do Barroso (PGI)
- Vitela de Lafões (PGI)
Goat Meat from Portugal
Goat meat, called "cabrito," is a popular dish in Portugal. Several types have PGI status, showing their regional importance.
- Cabrito Transmontano (PDO)
- Cabrito do Alentejo (PGI)
- Cabrito de Barroso (PGI)
- Cabrito da Beira (PGI)
- Cabrito da Gralheira (PGI)
- Cabrito das Terras Altas do Minho (PGI)
Portuguese Lamb and Mutton
Lamb and mutton are also important meats in Portugal. Many types are protected, ensuring their unique flavor and origin.
- Borrego Serra da Estrela (PDO)
- Borrego Terrincho (PDO)
- Cordeiro Bragançano (PDO)
- Cordeiro Mirandês or Canhono Mirandês (PDO)
- Borrego do Baixo Alentejo (PGI)
- Borrego da Beira (PGI)
- Borrego do Nordeste Alentejano (PGI)
- Borrego de Montemor-o-Novo (PGI)
- Cordeiro de Barroso, Anho de Barroso or Cordeiro de leite de Barroso (PGI)
Pork from Portugal
Pork is a big part of Portuguese cooking. These protected types come from special breeds and regions.
- Carne de porco Alentejano (PDO)
- Carne de Bísaro Transmontano or Carne de Porco Transmontano (PDO)
Special Portuguese Meat Products
Portugal has many delicious cured meats and sausages. These often use traditional recipes passed down through generations.
Alheira: A Unique Sausage
Alheira is a type of sausage. It was originally made by Jewish communities in Portugal who couldn't eat pork.
- Alheira de Barroso-Montalegre (PGI)
- Alheira de Vinhais (PGI)
Farinheira: A Flavorful Sausage
Farinheira is another unique Portuguese sausage, often made with flour and spices.
- Farinheira de Estremoz e Borba (PGI)
- Farinheira de Portalegre (PGI)
Presunto: Portuguese Dry-Cured Ham
Presunto is Portugal's famous dry-cured ham, similar to prosciutto. It's a true delicacy!
- Presunto de Barrancos (PDO)
- Presunto do Alentejo and Paleta do Alentejo (PDO)
- Presunto de Barroso (PGI)
- Presunto de Campo Maior e Elvas e Paleta de Campo Maior e Elvas (PGI)
- Presunto de Santana da Serra e Paleta de Santana da Serra (PGI)
- Presunto de Vinhais or Presunto Bísaro de Vinhais (PGI)
Other Tasty Meat Products
There are many other protected meat products, including various types of chouriço (chorizo-like sausages) and morcela (blood sausages).
- Butelo de Vinhais, Bucho de Vinhais or Chouriço de Ossos de Vinhais (PGI)
- Cacholeira Branca de Portalegre (PGI)
- Chouriça Doce de Vinhais (PGI)
- Chouriça de Carne de Barroso-Montalegre (PGI)
- Chouriça de Carne de Vinhais or Linguiça de Vinhais (PGI)
- Chouriço de Abóbora de Barroso-Montalegre (PGI)
- Chouriço Azedo de Vinhais, Azedo de Vinhais and Chouriço de Pão de Vinhais (PGI)
- Chouriço de Carne de Estremoz e Borba (PGI)
- Chouriço grosso de Estremoz e Borba (PGI)
- Chouriço Mouro de Portalegre (PGI)
- Chouriço de Portalegre (PGI)
- Linguíça do Baixo Alentejo or Chouriço de carne do Baixo Alentejo (PGI)
- Linguiça de Portalegre (PGI)
- Lombo Branco de Portalegre (PGI)
- Lombo Enguitado de Portalegre (PGI)
- Morcela de Assar de Portalegre (PGI)
- Morcela de Cozer de Portalegre (PGI)
- Morcela de Estremoz e Borba (PGI)
- Paia de Estremoz e Borba (PGI)
- Paia de Lombo de Estremoz e Borba (PGI)
- Paia de Toucinho de Estremoz e Borba (PGI)
- Painho de Portalegre (PGI)
- Paio de Beja (PGI)
- Salpicão de Barroso-Montalegre (PGI)
- Salpicão de Vinhais (PGI)
- Sangueira de Barroso-Montalegre (PGI)
Fish and Fish Products
Portugal is famous for its seafood! One very traditional fish product has a special protection.
- Bacalhau de Cura Tradicional Portuguesa (TSG) - This is a type of dried and salted codfish, prepared in a very old, traditional way.
Vegetables and Cereals
Even everyday foods like rice and potatoes can have special protection if they are unique to a region.
Portuguese Rice
- Arroz Carolino das Lezírias Ribatejanas (PGI) - This is a specific type of rice grown in the Ribatejo region.
Sweet Potato from Aljezur
- Batata doce de Aljezur (PGI) - A special sweet potato from the Aljezur area.
Potato from Trás-os-Montes
- Batata de Trás-os-Montes (PGI) - A unique potato from the Trás-os-Montes region.
Fresh Fruits of Portugal
Portugal's climate is great for growing many kinds of fruits. Some have special protected status!
Elvas Prune
- Ameixa d´Elvas (PDO) - A famous prune from Elvas.
Pineapple from the Azores
- Ananás dos Açores/São Miguel (PDO) - Pineapples grown on the Azores islands.
Custard Apple from Madeira
- Anona da Madeira (PDO) - A sweet, tropical fruit from the island of Madeira.
Portuguese Cherries
- Cereja de São Julião-Portalegre (PDO)
- Cereja da Cova da Beira (PGI)
Citrus Fruits from Algarve
- Citrinos do Algarve (PGI) - Oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits from the sunny Algarve region.
Portuguese Apples
- Maçã Bravo de Esmolfe (PDO)
- Maçã Riscadinha de Palmela (PDO)
- Maçã de Alcobaça (PGI)
- Maçã da Beira Alta (PGI)
- Maçã da Cova da Beira (PGI)
- Maçã de Portalegre (PGI)
Passion Fruit from the Azores
- Maracujá dos Açores/S. Miguel (PDO) - Passion fruit from the Azores islands.
Rocha Pear from the West
- Pêra Rocha do Oeste (PDO) - A very popular and crunchy pear from the western region of Portugal.
Peach from Cova da Beira
- Pêssego da Cova da Beira (PGI) - Peaches from the Cova da Beira region.
Dried Fruits
Dried fruits are also important in Portuguese cuisine.
Almond from Douro
- Amêndoa Douro (PDO) - Almonds from the Douro region.
Portuguese Chestnuts
Chestnuts are a traditional food, especially in the colder months.
- Castanha da Padrela (PDO)
- Castanha da Terra Fria (PDO)
- Castanha do Marvão-Portalegre (PDO)
- Castanha dos Soutos da Lapa (PDO)
Sweet Portuguese Honey
Portugal produces many types of delicious honey, each with unique flavors from different flowers and regions.
- Mel da Serra da Lousã (PDO)
- Mel da Serra de Monchique (PDO)
- Mel da Terra Quente (PDO)
- Mel das Terras Altas do Minho (PDO)
- Mel de Barroso (PDO)
- Mel do Alentejo (PDO)
- Mel do Parque de Montezinho (PDO)
- Mel do Ribatejo Norte (PDO)
- Mel dos Açores (PDO)
Cheese and Other Dairy Products
Portugal has a rich tradition of cheese-making. Many cheeses are protected, meaning they are made in specific ways in certain areas.
Famous Portuguese Cheeses
- Queijo de Azeitão (PDO)
- Queijos da Beira Baixa (PDO)
- Queijo Amarelo da Beira Baixa (PDO)
- Queijo de Castelo Branco (PDO)
- Queijo Picante da Beira Baixa (PDO)
- Queijo de Cabra Transmontano (PDO)
- Queijo de Évora (PDO)
- Queijo de Nisa (PDO)
- Queijo do Pico (PDO)
- Queijo Rabaçal (PDO)
- Queijo São Jorge (PDO)
- Queijo Serpa (PDO)
- Queijo Serra da Estrela (PDO)
- Queijo Terrincho (PDO)
- Queijo mestiço de Tolosa (PGI)
Other Dairy Delights
Besides cheese, other dairy products also have special protection.
- Requeijão da Beira Baixa (PDO) - A fresh, soft cheese similar to ricotta.
- Requeijão da Serra da Estrela (PDO)
- Travia da Beira Baixa (PDO)
Sweet Treats and Confectionery
Portugal is known for its delicious pastries and sweets!
Traditional Portuguese Pastries
- Ovos Moles de Aveiro (PGI) - A sweet treat from Aveiro made with egg yolks and sugar.
- Pastel de Tentúgal (PGI) - A delicate pastry from Tentúgal.
Other Unique Products
Salt from Tavira
- Sal de Tavira or Flor de Sal de Tavira (PDO) - Special salt, including "flower of salt," harvested from the salt pans near Tavira.
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Productos de Portugal con denominación de origen para niños
- Portuguese cuisine
- Denominação de Origem Controlada
