Mel do Alentejo

Mel do Alentejo is a Portuguese honey with an EU protected designation of origin (PDO) from 25 municipalities of the Alentejo. Apis mellifera iberica bees make it from the nectar of the region's flora. It is sold as single-flower honey (topped lavender, Lavandula stoechas; eucalyptus; orange blossom, Citrus; viper's bugloss, Echium) or as multifloral honey.

The colour runs from light yellow to amber. Minimum pollen: lavender 13 %, orange 15 %, eucalyptus and viper's bugloss 40 %; multifloral honey needs at least 5 % pollen of one of several plants, including lavender, thyme, rosemary or thistle. Moisture is below 18.5 %, HMF up to 10 mg/kg, free acidity below 35 meq/kg and ash below 0.6 %.

Climate, soil and vegetation are Mediterranean: lavender, rockrose, strawberry tree and viper's bugloss among cork and holm oaks, plus sunflower, eucalyptus and orange crops. Feeding is allowed only in food shortage, with syrup, and never while honey supers are on. The honey is packed in transparent, colourless glass up to 1,000 g.

Why this matters to you: the label must carry the PDO logo and the certification body's mark; a plant name such as lavender may be used only when the minimum pollen share is met.