Mel dos Açores

Mel dos Açores is a nectar honey produced across the Azores archipelago, classified as either pittosporum honey (mel de incenso), made from the nectar of Pittosporum undulatum, or multifloral honey drawn from a variety of island flora. Registered as a PDO under file number PDO-PT-0268, it is distinguished by defined limits on water content, sucrose, and diastase activity.

About this designation

Mel dos Açores is produced within the Azores archipelago and is classified into two types: pittosporum honey (mel de incenso) and multifloral honey (mel multiflora). Pittosporum honey is made from nectar collected principally from Pittosporum undulatum Vent., which blooms from February to April, though this period may vary. Its defining characteristic is a pollen component in which pollen of Pittosporum undulatum Vent. must account for over 30 %; smaller amounts of pollen of Eucalyptus spp. and other species are normally also present. Its colour ranges from very pale to light amber, up to 50 on the Pfund scale. Multifloral honey is made from the nectar of species including Pittosporum undulatum Vent., Eucalyptus spp., Metrosideros excelsa Gaertner, Acacia spp., Trifolium spp., Castanea sativa Mill., and Rubus spp., and ranges in colour from light amber to dark amber, up to 114 on the Pfund scale. Across both types, water content must not exceed 18 %, diastase activity on the Schade scale must be at least 3, and sucrose content must not exceed 10 % for multifloral honey or 15 % for pittosporum honey. Systematic or large-scale artificial feeding of bee colonies is not permitted. The product may only be sold packaged and labelled, and each label must display the type of honey and the inspection body's certification mark. The designation was registered as a PDO on 21 June 1996 under file number PDO-PT-0268 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013103).

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-0268 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013103).
• Pittosporum honey must contain over 30 % pollen of Pittosporum undulatum Vent. to qualify under the specification.
• Sucrose content limits differ by type: not more than 10 % for multifloral honey and not more than 15 % for pittosporum honey.
• Systematic or large-scale artificial feeding of the bee colonies producing Mel dos Açores is not permitted under the specification.

Tasting notes

Açorean honey DOP. Distinctive island-flora profile.

HoReCa use

Açorean pairings; with São Jorge cheese.

Packaging

• glass-jar-250g
• glass-jar-500g