Castanha da Terra Fria

Castanha da Terra Fria is a PDO-protected chestnut produced from Castanea sativa Mill cultivated in eight subdistricts of Trás-os-Montes, Portugal. The designation covers chestnuts grown on acidic, schist-type soils from ten named regional varieties, in mountainous terrain whose altitude produces a mountain-Atlantic to sub-Atlantic climate.

About this designation

Castanha da Terra Fria holds PDO status, registered on 21 June 1996 under file number PDO-PT-0238 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013075). The designation covers chestnuts of the European sweet chestnut tree, Castanea sativa Mill, originating from regional cultivation within the subdistricts of Alfândega da Fé, Bragança, Chaves, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Mirandela, Valpaços, Vimioso, and Vinhais, all within the Trás-os-Montes region of Portugal. Production is restricted to ten named varieties: Lôngal, Judia, Cota, Amarelal, Lamela, Aveleira, Boa Ventura, Trigueira, Martainha, and Negral. The soils in the production area are characterised as schist with acidic properties. The mountainous character of the area, and the altitude-driven mountain-Atlantic to sub-Atlantic climate, are identified in the specification as contributing to the chestnuts' particular quality characteristics. The applicant group was the Associação dos Produtores de Castanha do Concelho de Bragança, based in Parada, Santa Comba de Roças. The inspection and control body named in the specification is Tradição e Qualidade — Associação Interprofissional para os Produtos Agro-Alimentares de Trás-os-Montes, located at Rua do S. Cosme, 13, Mirandela. Labelling must carry the designation Castanha da Terra Fria with the indication Denomination of Origin.

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-0238, eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013075.
• Production is confined to eight named subdistricts within Trás-os-Montes: Alfândega da Fé, Bragança, Chaves, Macedo de Cavaleiros, Mirandela, Valpaços, Vimioso, and Vinhais.
• The specification permits only ten named varieties: Lôngal, Judia, Cota, Amarelal, Lamela, Aveleira, Boa Ventura, Trigueira, Martainha, and Negral.
• Cultivation must take place on soils characterised as schist with acidic properties.