Description: The Mel da Serra da Lousã PDO is an excellent honey made by bees of the Apis mellifera Iberica species. It is amber coloured, often very dark and very viscous. It has an excellent flavour, with hints of woodland, humus and heather.
Production method: The bees feed on the nectar from the surrounding natural flora, particularly the wild heather and to some extent chestnut. They are kept in mobile hives in the mountains and valleys of the Serra da Lousã. The honey is harvested from March to August. It is only extracted by means of centrifuge and is matured at the natural temperature for approximately 30 days. The extraction and filtering take place in the area of production.
Special features: The high quality of Mel da Serra da Lousã PDO honey is owed to the geography and climate of the Serra da Lousã, with its peaks, slopes and valleys together with the passion of the local people for beekeeping which has made this an ideal area for the production of an exceptional quality honey.
Production area: The Mel da Serra da Lousã PDO is made in the municipal areas of Lousã, Miranda do Corvo, Penela, Figueiró dos Vinhos, Pedrogão Grande, Castanheira de Pera, Pampilhosa da Serra, Arganil, Góis and Vila Nova de Poiares, in the districts of Coimbra and Leiria.
History: The making of Mel da Serra da Lousã PDO honey descends from an ancient tradition in bee keeping, practised since time immemorial in the mountains and valleys of the Serra da Lousã. Testament to the ancient and indissoluble link between honey and this region is apparent in the names of the local towns and villages which often derive from beekeeping and the production of honey, such as Colmeal (swarm of bees), Cortiços and Vale de Cortiços (beehives), Vale de Abelhas (bees) and Vale de Colmeias.
Product specification (pdf)
Producer group
LOUSAMEL – Cooperativa Agrícola de Agricultores da Lousã e Concelhos Limítrofes C. R. L.
Control and certification body
Kiwa Sativa – Unipessoal, 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 5450 de 14.03.2024
Aviso (extrato) n.º 12300/2015 de 13.10.2015
Aviso 1994 de 04.02.1994
Despacho 1994 de 17.01.1994