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Mel do Ribatejo Norte | Local Honey From Santarém District, Western Europe | TasteAtlas

Mel do Ribatejo Norte

((Serra d'Aire, Albufeira de Castelo de Bode, Bairro, Alto Nabão), Ribatejo honey)

This honey is made by Apis mellifera bees from Iberian wildflower nectar collected from the Mediterranean plant life of the Ribatejo region in central Portugal. It comes in four types, depending on the different percentages of pollen they contain: Serra d'Aire (rosemary, lavender, and mint), Albufeira de Castelo de Bode (heather, myrtle, and chestnut), Bairro (thistle), and Alto Nabão (eucalyptus pollen). The honey is characterized by its intense aroma, floral flavor, and light yellow color. Apart from being consumed in its natural state, this product is used heavily in the production of local bread and pastries.


One famous example of this is Broas, a sweet bread made with flour, honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Testimonies of beekeeping practices in the area date back to the twelfth century. Many local toponyms bear names related to honey production, yet another fact highlighting the cultural importance of the beekeeping in Ribatejo Norte.