Borrego Serra da Estrela

Borrego Serra da Estrela is a PDO-protected fresh lamb from the Serra da Estrela region of Portugal, produced exclusively from animals of the Bordaleira breed whose parents are entered in the Genealogical Register of the Bordaleira breed. Eligible carcasses come from animals slaughtered up to 30 days old with a live weight of at least 12 kg.

About this designation

Registered as a PDO on 21 June 1996 under file number PDO-PT-0224 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013234), Borrego Serra da Estrela designates refrigerated lamb carcasses, both male and female, produced within the Serra da Estrela geographical area of Portugal. The specification requires that animals belong to the Bordaleira breed and that their parents are entered in the Genealogical Register of the Bordaleira breed; no other breed is permitted. Animals must be slaughtered at up to 30 days old and must have reached a live weight of at least 12 kg. The geographical area lies on the large Beira plateau, a region characterised by long, cold and rainy winters, sometimes with snow, and hot and dry summers. Natural pastures consist of spontaneous perennial grasses, and cultivated pastures are based on white clover and subterranean clovers. The designation is described as closely linked to the production area of Serra da Estrela cheese and to the customs and festive cookery of the region. The inspection body named in the specification is ANCOSE — Associação Nacional de Criadores de Ovinos Serra da Estrela, based in Oliveira do Hospital. The applicant group at the time of registration was ESTRELACOOP — Cooperativa dos Produtores de Queijo Serra da Estrela, C.R.L., based in Celorico da Beira.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PDO on 21 June 1996 under file number PDO-PT-0224, eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013234.
• Only animals of the Bordaleira breed, with parents entered in the Genealogical Register of the Bordaleira breed, are permitted.
• Animals must be slaughtered at up to 30 days old with a live weight of at least 12 kg.
• The inspection body named in the specification is ANCOSE — Associação Nacional de Criadores de Ovinos Serra da Estrela.

Tasting notes

Beira lamb DOP from Bordaleira de Serra da Estrela breed (same flocks as Serra da Estrela cheese). Delicate flavored meat, characteristic mountain-pasture profile.

HoReCa use

The designation is described as linked to the customs and festive cookery of the Serra da Estrela region.

Packaging

• Same

Seasonality