Description: The Carne Barrosã PDO cheese is made with bovine meat of Barrosã breed, that although has the name of Barroso Tableland has begun in Minho region. It's a meat with white to dark white fat, depending the animal age. Has a rosy to dark red color.
Production method: The cows are reared in small farm, having acess to the different pastures and fodders.
Its production method depends of their place of origin: in the Barroso Tableland they are essentially fed on hay made with the region grasses, while in Minho they are nourished on green forage, maize straw and ryegrass.
Distinctive features: Cattle of the Barrosã breed have light brown color and medium size. They became more resistant than the other region breeds and are are well known for the quality, flavor and tenderness of the meat.
The Carne Barrosã PDO beef can be sold as: “carne de vitela” from cows slaughtered between 5 and 9 months old and weighing between 70 kg and 130 kg; “carne de novilho”, cows slaughtered between 9 and 36 months old, weighing at least 130 kg; lastly “carne de vaca”, cows slaughtered between three and four years old with a minimum weight of 130 kg.
Production area: Carne Barrosã PDO beef is produced in the municipalities of Amares, Braga, Cabeceiras de Basto, Celorico de Basto, Fafe, Guimarães, Póvoa de Lanhoso, Terras do Bouro, Vieira do Minho and Vila Verde in the Braga district; municipalities of Felgueiras and Paços de Ferreira in Port district; the concils of Arcos de Valdevez, Melgaço, Monção, Ponte da Barca, Ponte de Lima, Paredes de Coura and Valença in Viana do Castelo district and the municipalities of Boticas and Montalegre in Vila Real district.
History: The cattle breed Barrosã is descendant from Mauritian species from North of Africa and brought to Portugal even before the nationality of the country (1143).
These bovines have become the second breed existing in a greater number in the country, being exported to England in the 20th century.
However, due the introduce of new breeds as Iberia and Aquitania its habitat was reduced to the Planalto do Barroso and Minho region.
Product specification (pdf)
Producer group
CAPOLIB - Cooperativa Agrícola de Boticas CRL
Control and certification body
CERTIS - Controlo e Certificação, Lda.
Delegation of Powers (pdf)
Control plan
Control plan (pdf)
Publication in EU official journal
Reg. (CE) n.º 1263/96 - L163 02.06.1996
L285/1 – 07.11.2022
Publication in the Portuguese official journal
Aviso n.º 4952/2011, de 10 de fevereiro
Aviso n.º 4569/2005, de 28 de abril
Aviso n.º 8893/2001, de 11 de julho
Aviso (2ª série) de 31 de janeiro de 1994
Despacho n.º 18/1994, de 31 de janeiro 