Castanha de Padrela

Castanha da Padrela is a PDO-registered chestnut from the Padrela area of Trás-os-Montes, Portugal, produced from the sweet chestnut tree (Castanea sativa Mill) in the Judia, Lada, Negral, Cota and Longa Preta varieties. The fruit may be presented fresh, peeled and dried, frozen, as jam, or in syrup. The designation is administered by COOPVAL - Cooperativa Agrícola de Valpaços, CRL.

About this designation

Castanha da Padrela is registered as a PDO under file number PDO-PT-0254, with EU protection granted on 21 June 1996 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013089). The designation covers chestnuts of the species Castanea sativa Mill grown in the Padrela area of Trás-os-Montes, Portugal. The permitted varieties are Judia, Lada, Negral, Cota and Longa Preta. The product may be placed on the market in several forms: peeled and dried, frozen, as jam, or in syrup. Harvesting is carried out from the ground. The specification notes that the designation is established through use, grounded in the century-old presence of the sweet chestnut tree and its recognised suitability for the region, with the chestnuts reflecting the special conditions of that area. The applicant group at the time of registration was COOPVAL - Cooperativa Agrícola de Valpaços, CRL, based in Valpaços. The inspection and certification body named in the specification is TRADIÇÃO E QUALIDADE - Associação Interprofissional para os Produtos Agro-Alimentares de Trás-os-Montes, based in Mirandela. The labelling denomination stated in the specification is Castanha de Padrela - Denomination of Origin.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 28, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PDO on 21 June 1996 under file number PDO-PT-0254 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013089).
• The specification permits five named varieties: Judia, Lada, Negral, Cota and Longa Preta.
• The product may be marketed peeled and dried, frozen, as jam, or in syrup, in addition to fresh.
• The inspection body is TRADIÇÃO E QUALIDADE - Associação Interprofissional para os Produtos Agro-Alimentares de Trás-os-Montes, based in Mirandela.

Tasting notes

Trás-os-Montes/Beira/Alentejo chestnut DOPs. Sweet creamy flesh, characteristic Portuguese-soutos profile.

HoReCa use

Castanhas assadas (roasted chestnuts) are a traditional preparation associated with the São Martinho festivities in November; the chestnuts are also used in regional pastry and chestnut flour is employed in traditional bread.

Packaging

• crate-fresh-10kg
• vacuum-pack-cooked-500g
• dried-1kg
• gift-pack-300g

Seasonality