Mel da Serra de Monchique

Mel da Serra de Monchique is a nectar honey produced by the bee Apis mellifera (Sp. Ibérica) within a defined area of the Serra de Monchique in the Algarve. The specification describes it as dark yellow in colour and particularly rich in mineral salts. Production, feeding, extraction, and packaging must all be carried out within the designated region.

About this designation

Mel da Serra de Monchique holds PDO status, registered under file number PDO-PT-0250 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013086), with EU protection granted on 21 June 1996. The designation covers nectar honey produced by the bee Apis mellifera (Sp. Ibérica). The specification describes the honey as dark yellow in colour and particularly rich in mineral salts. The production system, feeding, extraction, and packaging of the honey must all be carried out within the designated geographical area. That area is restricted to the parishes of Monchique, Alferce, and Marmelete in the subdistrict of Monchique; the parishes of Odeceixe, Aljezur, and Bordeira in the subdistrict of Aljezur; the parish of Bensafrim in the subdistrict of Lagos; the parishes of Mexilhoeira Grande and Portimão in the subdistrict of Portimão; and the parishes of S. Marcos da Serra, Silves, and S. Bartolomeu de Messines in the subdistrict of Silves. The link between the product and its territory is attributed to the Atlantic-Mediterranean edaphological-climatic conditions of the Serra de Monchique, which produce vegetation and natural flora of great variety. Written references to the product date back to 1600. The inspection body named in the specification is APILGARBE — Associação dos Apicultores do Barlavento Algarvio, based in Monchique. Labels must carry the denomination Mel da Serra de Monchique — Denomination of Origin. The applicant group at registration was COOPACHIQUE — Cooperativa Agrícola do Concelho de Monchique, CRL.

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-0250, eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013086.
• The specification requires that production, feeding, extraction, and packaging all take place within the designated area of the Serra de Monchique.
• The honey is produced exclusively by the bee Apis mellifera (Sp. Ibérica) and is described in the specification as dark yellow and particularly rich in mineral salts.
• Written references to the product within its territory date back to 1600, forming part of the evidence of established use submitted at registration.

Tasting notes

Algarve honey DOP from Serra de Monchique. Multiple varieties.

HoReCa use

Algarve pairings.

Packaging

• glass-jar-250g
• glass-jar-500g