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The world's best flavored olive oil comes from Murça — and it contains cocoa from São Tomé

Azeite a Norte Blog
Apr 20
3 min read

When one thinks of the world's great flavored olive oils, Greece, Italy, and Spain dominate the image. But something is changing that map—and it comes from a cooperative in the heart of Trás-os-Montes.

The world's #1: Porca de Murça Olive Oil with Fused Cocoa

Porca de Murça – Cacau Fused Olive Oil, produced by the Agricultural Cooperative of Olive Growers of Murça (CAOM), has just won 1st place in the "TOP 25 Flavored Oils of the World 2025" — becoming the most awarded flavored olive oil in the world and the first Portuguese olive oil to lead this ranking. (Source: CAOM; A Voz de Trás-os-Montes)

The recognition is awarded by the EVOO World Ranking, a global ranking system created in 1997 by the World Association of Journalists of Wine and the Spirit (WAWWJ), which scores the most awarded olive oils in major international competitions. A ranking historically dominated by Greek olive oils—until now. (Source: Voz do Campo)

The trajectory of this product is one of the most consistent stories in the Portuguese olive oil sector: in 2023 it entered the world's Top 10; in 2024 it reached 2nd place; in 2025 it reached the top. And the journey was made medal by medal, competition by competition, in 26 international competitions. (Source: CONFAGRI; CAOM)

What is this olive oil — and why does it taste different

The merger that changed the industry

First of all: a quality flavored olive oil is not the same as an olive oil with artificial essence. If you want to fully understand the difference — and the techniques behind this category — we have a complete article dedicated to the subject. Cacau Fused is the ultimate example of what can happen when fusion is taken seriously.

Fused Cocoa is exactly what the name says: a true fusion product, obtained by the combined maceration of Cordovil de Murça extra virgin olive oil with cocoa from São Tomé and Príncipe during the extraction process. The result is a 100% natural olive oil, with its own unique personality that surprises those who try it for the first time. (Source: 24 Notícias; Diário de Trás-os-Montes)

The historical connection that few people know about

The choice of São Tomé cocoa was not random. It is a tribute to the Marquis of Valle Flor, a native of Murça, who in the 19th century became one of the world's largest cocoa producers, with several properties in the African archipelago. Two centuries later, the Murça Cooperative closes the circle: olive oil from Trás-os-Montes, São Tomé cocoa, a memory and an innovation in the same bottle. (Source: 24 Notícias)

It's not just the flavored one: Murça leads the world in several categories

Murça's international recognition goes far beyond a single product. In 2025, CAOM accumulated 96 national and international awards, being distinguished in several categories:

Best Olive Oil with Protected Designation of Origin on the Portuguese Market
Best Olive Oil Produced by a Portuguese Cooperative
Portugal's Healthiest Olive Oil and the 9th Healthiest Olive Oil in the World — due to its richness in polyphenols, healthy fatty acids and oleocanthal (Source: Voz do Campo)

And there's a second new development accompanying the success of Cacau Fused: the Porca de Murça Castanha Judia olive oil, launched in 2025 in collaboration with producer Lino Sampaio, entered directly into the world's Top 25 in its debut year, with 9 international awards. (Source: Voz do Campo)

Murça on the olive tourism map in Trás-os-Montes

For those visiting Northern Portugal and wanting to take something truly unique home, Murça is now a must-see. The Agricultural Cooperative of Olive Growers of Murça produces olive oil on the edges of olive groves that tell the story of the Cordovil variety—one of the most unique in Trás-os-Montes, cultivated in schist soils among vines and oak trees.

Tasting Fused Cocoa during a visit to the region is one of the most surprising gastronomic experiences that Northern Portugal has to offer—for those seeking a different olive oil, for those who want to give something with a story, or for those who simply want to understand why the world is looking at this small cooperative from Trás-os-Montes.

👉 Explore our routes and producers in Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro — and discover where to buy the best flavored olive oil in the world.