Description: The Alheira de Mirandela PGI is a yellow-brownish, horseshoe-shaped smoked sausage, approximately 25 cm long, with a diameter of 3cm and weighing 150 to 200 g. Its ingredients are: meat of pure or cross bread Bísaro pigs, poultry meat, game meat (facultative), regional wheat bread, pork lard and Trás-os-Montes DOP olive oil, or similar, seasoned with salt, garlic and paprika. The paste looks uneven, and it is constituted by a thin, lumpy pulp, in which realize pieces of shredded meats.
Production method: The pork and poultry meats are cut, seasoned and cooked in water. The bread is cut into thin slices and softened in the cooking gravy. To this paste join the remaining shredded meat flavorings and proceeding to the filling of natural casings salted cow whose ends are connected by a cotton yarn. The sausages are then smoked over low heat, the fire being made from regional wood (like oak and olive tree), for about eight days.
Special features: The particular climate of the region, the manufacturing techniques of Alheira Mirandela PGI related to the use of regional wheat bread baked specifically and whose secrecy manufacturing remained unchanged over generations, its aroma and taste slightly smoked for its flavor of garlic and strongly spicy and fruity olive oil used and the heterogeneous texture of the paste are responsible for the uniqueness of this sausage. Also condiments used and the time of smoking and maturation of about 8 days give the color, flavor and aroma characteristic of Alheira de Mirandela PGI that make it unique of the kind.
Production area: The area in which ‘Alheira de Mirandela’ is produced is limited to the municipality of Mirandela.
History: The history and the characteristics of ‘Alheira de Mirandela’ is provided by evidence drawn from the local press, stretching back to at least 1957, with references to the product as a local specialty made in a cottage industry. The reputation of ‘Alheira de Mirandela’ has always been linked to the area in which it is produced, as is shown by an article that appeared in the weekly newspaper Notícias de Mirandela on 29 May 1960. The article deplored the imitation, at that time, of genuine ‘Alheira de Mirandela’ in other geographical areas, expressing the need to put a stop to the abuse and calling for a register to be set up ‘of local or regional designations to be complied with’.
Product specification (pdf)
Producer group
ACIM – Associação Comercial e Industrial de Mirandela
Control and certification body
TRADIÇÃO E QUALIDADE - Assoc. Interprof. Produtos Agro-Alimentares de Trás-os-Montes
Control plan
Control plan (pdf)
Publication in EU official journal
Regulamento (UE) n.º 2016/292 da Comissão – L55/3 – 02.03.2016
Publicação do pedido de registo – C333/8 – 09.10.2015
Publication in the Portuguese official journal
Despacho n.º 9012/2013, de 10 de julho
Aviso n.º 11129/2011, de 19.05.2011
Aviso (extracto) n.º 14053/2010, de 15 de julho
Aviso n.º 2259/2006, de 21 de fevereiro