Mel do Alentejo

Mel do Alentejo is honey produced by Apis mellifera (sp. Ibérica) within a defined area of twenty-five municipalities in the Alentejo region of Portugal. It is classified as either multifloral or single-flower honey from topped lavender, eucalyptus, orange blossom, or viper's bugloss, and is registered as a PDO under file number PDO-PT-0252.

About this designation

Registered as a PDO on 21 June 1996 under file number PDO-PT-0252 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013088), Mel do Alentejo is produced exclusively within the administrative boundaries of twenty-five named municipalities, including Évora, Beja, Elvas, Serpa, and Moura, among others. The honey must be produced by Apis mellifera (sp. Ibérica) from nectar harvested from the region's melliferous flora. The designation covers five categories: multifloral honey and four single-flower honeys derived from topped lavender (Lavandula stoechas L.), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.), orange blossom (Citrus spp.), and viper's bugloss (Echium spp.). Systematic or large-scale artificial feeding of bee colonies is not permitted; limited supplementary feeding is allowed only in conditions of food shortage or to stimulate colony growth, using a syrup of two parts honey or white sugar to one part water, and must cease one week before honey supers are installed. The specification sets mandatory physical and chemical limits, including free acidity below 35 meq/kg, moisture below 18.5%, hydroxymethylfurfural not exceeding 10 mg/kg, and ash below 0.6%. Pollen thresholds are defined for both single-flower and multifloral categories. The honey must be packaged in transparent, colourless glass containers holding up to 1,000 g. Labels must carry the PDO Mel do Alentejo logo and the certification mark of the inspection and certification body.

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-0252, eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013088.
• Systematic or large-scale artificial feeding of bee colonies is not permitted under the specification.
• Single-flower pollen thresholds are set at 13% for topped lavender, 15% for orange blossom, and 40% for eucalyptus and viper's bugloss.
• The honey must be packaged in transparent, colourless glass containers holding up to 1,000 g.

Tasting notes

Alentejano honey DOP. Multiple varieties from montado-region flora (rosemary, lavender, wildflower).

HoReCa use

Alentejano pairings; with Iberian charcuterie and cheese.

Packaging

• glass-jar-250g
• glass-jar-500g
• gift-pack-250g