Olive Oil and Olives
The diversity of varieties in Trás-os-Montes offers a rich experience for olive oil enthusiasts.
The region has a long tradition of olive oil production, combining traditional methods with modern techniques. The protected designation of origin (PDO) guarantees the authenticity and quality of the product, attracting tourists interested in gastronomy and local products.
The olive grove landscape, especially in Terra Quente Transmontana, provides a picturesque setting for olive oil-related tourist activities.
Cobrançosa
Cobrançosa is a Portuguese olive variety that enchants with its beauty, rusticity and productivity, offering oils with fruity notes and a deep flavor, which transport the senses to the rolling hills of the Portuguese rural landscape.
Origin
Trás-os-Montes
Flavor
Balanced, with hints of sweetness, bitterness and spiciness. Slightly bitter and spicy when the olives are green, or sweet and mild when ripe.
Culinary uses
Excellent for fish, roasts and sauces like pesto. Ideal for finishing dishes.
Aroma
Fragrant, with notes of green herbs, cut grass and olive leaf
Location
Widely distributed in the region
Relevant features
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High and constant productivity
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Rich in polyphenols, providing resistance to oxidation
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Considered the "King of Olive Oils" for its superior quality
Verdeal Transmontana
Verdeal Transmontana is a Portuguese olive cultivar that stands out for its unique personality and contribution to Transmontano olive oils. This variety, originally from Trás-os-Montes, is known for its productivity and striking characteristics that make it a jewel of national olive growing.
Origin
Trás-os-Montes
Flavor
Very spicy and strong, with pronounced and intense green sensations, reminiscent of freshly cut grass.
Fruity flavor, with notes of almond, sweet, green, bitter and spicy.
Culinary uses
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It is ideal for seasoning salads, vegetables, fish and grilled meat, enhancing the flavor of the food.
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It can be used to finish dishes, adding a touch of flavor and aroma.
Aroma
Intense, with notes of cut grass
Location
Distributed throughout the Trás-os-Montes region.
Relevant features
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Chemically more stable compared to other varieties
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Produces olive oils with an intense and striking flavor
Madural
The Madural, a resilient and generous olive tree, embraces the plateaus of Trás-os-Montes and Beira Interior, gifting us with olive oils with a smooth and delicate flavor, a true treasure of the earth to enrich our table.
Origin
Typical of Trás-os-Montes.
Also known as Cercial or Common.
Flavor
The flavor is balanced, with a slightly bitter and spicy touch, characteristic of quality olive oils.
In some cases, almond notes can be perceived, especially when the olive is harvested at more advanced stages of ripeness.
Sensation of sweet, green, bitter and spicy.
Culinary uses
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Madural olive oil is appreciated for its versatility and can be used to season salads, vegetables, fish and meat.
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It is widely used in traditional Portuguese cuisine, where the flavor of olive oil plays a fundamental role.
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It can also be used in olive oil-based condiments.
Aroma
It has a fruity aroma, with notes that can vary between green and ripe, depending on the stage of maturation of the olive.
Location
Distributed throughout the Trás-os-Montes region.
Relevant features
Contributes to the complexity of the region's olive oil blends
Santulhana
Santulhana produces an olive oil with a unique personality, with fruity aromas that evoke cut green grass and fresh apple, and a balanced flavor with slightly spicy touches, perfect for seasoning traditional dishes or accompanying toasted bread, celebrating the essence of the cold land of Trás-os-Montes.
Origin
Mainly in the municipality of Bragança.
Flavor
Initially sweet, with a medium bitterness that becomes strong and persistently spicy.
Culinary uses
It is ideal for seasoning meat and fish dishes, and is also excellent as a starter, accompanied by lightly toasted bread. In addition, the leaves of the Santulhana olive tree can be used to prepare infusions rich in antioxidants, which offer health benefits and a pleasant sensory profile.
Aroma
Notes of green apple, tomato, cherry, green dried fruits and kale.
Location
Bragança Area
Relevant features
Vigorous trees with medium/late start of production Good oil yield (around 20%)
Cordovil
Cordovil, a precious jewel of Portuguese olive groves, presents us with an olive oil with a striking personality, whose intense fruity aroma evokes the freshness of freshly cut cabbage and the scent of olive leaves, while its balanced flavor dances gracefully between citrus notes and a delicate touch of dried fruits, promising to elevate each dish to an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
Origin
Various regions of Portugal
Flavor
The flavor combines a balance between bitterness, spiciness and a sweet or floral touch, depending on the growing region.
Culinary uses
Ideal for seasoning salads, pasta, soups and even fish or roast meat dishes.
Aroma
The aroma is fresh and fruity, with notes of apple, artichoke and almond.
Location
Trás-os-Montes
Relevant features
It is also characterized by its high oleic acid content, which gives the oil stability and nutritional richness, making it a true symbol of the Portuguese olive-growing tradition.
Galega
Galega, an ancestral jewel of Portuguese olive groves, presents us with an oil of seductive smoothness, whose fruity aroma evokes ripe apples and fresh herbs, while its delicate flavor dances between sweet notes and a subtle touch of almonds, promising to elevate each dish to a gastronomic experience that celebrates the essence of the Lusitanian tradition.
Origin
Various regions of Portugal
Flavor
Sweet flavor, slightly bitter and slightly spicy Notes of ripe apple, olive leaf and nuts.
Culinary uses
Galega olive oil is versatile in the kitchen, being ideal for:
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Dressing salads
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Finish dishes
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Use in preparations that benefit from a smooth and aromatic olive oil.
Aroma
Smooth and fruity flavor.
Location
Trás-os-Montes
Relevant features
Galega is a variety that represents the essence of traditional Portuguese olive oil, combining rusticity, adaptability and a unique sensory profile that makes it appreciated both in the domestic and international markets.
General characteristics of Trás-os-Montes DOP Olive Oil
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Color: Greenish yellow
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Acidity: Low to very low
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Sensory profile: Balanced, with the smell and taste of fresh fruit, sometimes almond, with notable sensations of sweet, green, bitter and spicy
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Culinary uses: Versatile, excellent for raw use in salads, to finish dishes or to cook at low temperatures