Maçã de Alcobaça PGI

Description: Fruits group Casa Nova, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, Jonagold, Pippin and Pink obtained in the geographical area, characterized by elevated consistency and crispness, the high percentage of sugar and  high acidity , which gives them a bittersweet taste and intense aroma. The high levels of total acidity is fundamental balance between sugars and acids gives to Maçã de ALcobaça the aroma and specific bittersweet taste that differentiate them from others.Other qualitative and sensory characteristics attributed to particular ecological conditions of the production area of Maçã de Alcobaça, is a high consistency and crunchy texture of the pulp, the intensity of the red color in groups of red fruits and bicolored, the intensity, the epidermis with lenticules or well-marked and open lenticels and the presence of russets closed the pit or stem cavity.

Production method: The quality of the fruit depends on the good fruit vocation of the soil and also the cultural techniques and rootstocks used. After planting of the trees can be cut to 0.40 m dipstick or left intact depending on the forming techniques. Compasses in intensive cultivation of irrigated land, most common are 3.5 m to 4.0 m between rows and 0.80 m to 2.0 m in line. The most commonly used driving is the vertical axis with minimal intervention in the early years. The fruit thinning when required, must always be taken to improve qual-ity and avoid switching. The land of the orchard during the water deficit period should be kept free of weeds. Apples are transported to the central fruit where they are coded and labeled. Conservation is operating in a normal or controlled atmosphere chambers and, temperature / humidity, and storage period according to the requirements of each variety. After washing and storage calibration plots are packaged in different containers.

Special features: The apples of the varieties described obtained in the geographical area, characterized mainly by high consistency and crispness, the high percentage of sugar and also by a high acidity, which gives them a specific sweet-sour taste and intense aroma.

Production area: The geographical area covers the administrative point of view, the municipalities of Alcobaça, Batalha, Bombarral, Cadaval, Caldas da Rainha, Leiria, Lourinhã, Marinha Grande, Nazaré, Óbidos, Peniche, Porto de Mós, Rio Maior e Torres Vedras.

History: The production area of Maçã de Alcobaça corresponds to the territory area secularly known as “Coutos de Alcobaça" The original definition of “Coutos de Alcobaça” was mainly due to political factors existing at the time (sec. XII / XIII), existing historical indications that indicates, in fact, the area stretched further south.
The monks thus occupied areas with agricultural ability corresponding to the current pro-duction areas of the apple. The cultivation of fruit trees, especially apple trees, begins soon to have important meaning. At a time when the pastry was little developed , the apple it was served for dessert after sumptuous meals.

Product specification (pdf)  

Single Document (pdf)  

Geographical area

Producer group
APMA - Associação de Produtores de Maçã de Alcobaça 

Control and certification body
CODIMACO – Certificação e Qualidade, Lda

Control plan
Control plan (pdf)

Publication in EU official journal
JOUE C197 5.06.2023
JOUE L127 22.05.2015

JOUE L127 22.05.2015
JOUE C468 31.12.2014

Publication in the Portuguese official journal
Despacho n.º 3522/2012 – DR 2ª série de 9-03-2012
Despacho nº 5682/2001 - DR 2ª série de 22-03-2001