Production method: The lambs are fed exclusively on maternal milk, having, at slaughter, a live weight of up to 12 kg and an age of up to 30 days. The carcasses can’t weight more than 7 kg and must present a well-distributed subcutaneous fat.
Special features: The Bordaleira is a mediolinear and white breed, distinguishable by the forward rolled horns and by the well-developed udder in females. Being a dairy breed, it has been selected over the centuries to obtain the milk used in the production of the Queijo da Serra PDO.
Production area: The production área of Borrego Serra da Estrela PDO coincides with the geographical area of Queijo Serra da Estrela PDO, covering a total area of 3143.16 km2 and encompassing the municipalities of Carregal do Sal, Celorico da Beira, Fornos de Algodres, Gouveia, Mangualde, Manteigas, Nelas, Oliveira do Hospital, Penalva do Castelo and Seia, and some parishes of the municipalities of Aguiar da Beira, Arganil, Covilhã, Guarda, Tábua, Tondela, Trancoso and Viseu.
History: Several studies and historical records prove the sheep farming and cheese production in this region to be millenary. Hence, this lamb has resulted from the conciliation, over the centuries, between the interests of producers of Serra da Estrela cheese in milking the sheep as soon as possible and the physiological characteristics of this breed, which allow, in the first month of lamb life, high daily replenishments and a good reception by consumers. This lamb is closely linked by tradition to the Serra da Estrela cheese production area, as well as the habits and cuisine of the area, where it is also known as "canasta lamb".
Product specification (pdf)
Producer group
ESTRELACOOP - Cooperativa dos Produtores de Queijo Serra da Estrela, C.R.L
Control and certification body
BEIRA TRADIÇÃO - Certificação de Produtos da Beira, Lda
Control plan
Control plan (pdf)
Publication in EU official journal
Regulamento (CE) n.º 1107/96 da Comissão – L148 21.06.1996
Retificação ao Regulamento (CE) n.º 1107/96 da Comissão – L290 13.11.1996
Publication in the Portuguese official journal
Despacho n.º 13/1994 – 26.01.1994
Aviso n.º 4312/2005 – 21.04.2005