Maçã de Portalegre PGI

Description: The Maçã de Portalegre PGI is an apple of the Malus spp. tree, from Bravo variety. It is a medium round apple, flattened, of greenish yellow color, with rosaceous spots and short peduncle. Much appreciated and very tasty, it is sweet and has a pronounced aroma.

Production method: This variety begins production at three to four years and has an average life of approximately 30 years. Normally it only produces fruit every two years. The trees are pruned during the winter months and the harvest, which is strictly manual, begins at the end of September. The fruit picking is done by hand directly from the tree, taking into account its maturity. The apple is placed in coated wood baskets to cushion the fall of the fruit. It is then chosen and graded.

Special features: The geographical area of production of Maçã de Portalegre PGI corresponds to the only area of this variety in the south of the country. The proximity of “Serra de S. Mamede” provides specific climate and soil conditions, to which some specimens of the Bravo variety have been perfectly adapted. The unique growing conditions result in a fruit with completely different characteristics, both in color and size, from apples of the same variety grown elsewhere.

Production area: Maçã de Portalegre PGI apples are grown in the municipal areas of Marvão, Castelo de Vide and Portalegre, in the Portalegre district.

History: This regional variety, known since the 18th century, comes from the village of Esmolfe. It is said that this apple originally grew there, naturally and spontaneously and was called Bravo for this very reason. Since its fruits were much appreciated, it was soon used for grafting and thrived throughout several areas of fruit production. The existence of apple Bravo in this region dates back to the early 20th century and constituted one of several successful attempts to avenge this variety of apple outside their area of origin.

Caderno de especificações (pdf)

Área geográfica

Producer group
APAFNA - Agrupamentos de Produtores Agrícolas e Florestais do Norte Alentejano

Control and certification body
AGRICERT - Certificação de Produtos Alimentares, Lda.

Control plan
Control plan (pdf)

Publication in EU official journal
Regulamento (CE) N.º 1107/96 da Comissão de 12.06.1996 – L 148/1

Publication in the Portuguese official journal
Aviso n.º 4314/2005 – 21.04.2005
Retificação n.º 2940/2000 ao Aviso nº 7820/2000 – 30.11.2000
Aviso n.º 7820/2000 – 06.05.2000
Despacho n.º 8/95 – 25.03.1995
Despacho n.º 40/94 – 8.02.1994