Maçã de Alcobaça, recognized as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) by the European Union, is a fruit originating from cultivars of Malus Domestica Boekh, from the groups Casa Nova, Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, Jonagold, Reineta and Pink.
Maçã de Alcobaça’s history dates back to the 12th century when the lands of the region of Alcobaça were donated by D. Afonso Henriques (1st King of Portugal) to St. Bernard of the Order of Clairvaux for the foundation of a monastery of the same Order. The so-called agronomist monks have always had a true worship for fruit trees integrating apple trees into the region's economy.
The recognition and subsequent protection of the Alcobaça Geographical Indication was due to the great reputation of the apples produced in these lands due to the proven qualitative difference of the apples obtained in the delimited geographical area of the municipalities of Leiria, Marinha Grande, Batalha, Alcobaça, Porto Mós, Nazaré, Rio Maior, Caldas da Rainha, Óbidos, Peniche, Bombarral, Lourinhã, Cadaval and Torres Vedras.
The apples of the group Gala are fruits of smooth epidermis and striated red color of yellow background with round format and average size. Its pulp is white, crisp and firm in consistency, juicy, sweet and very tasty, rich in aromas, vitamins and minerals.
The fruit of the Golden group apples varies from a yellowish-yellow to golden yellow color as it matures and may have an arched color on the side most exposed to sunlight. It has marked lenticels in the epidermis of very light brown color and with little roughness. The caliber varies from medium to large. The pulp has a fine texture, it is white, sweet, slightly acidic, juicy, consistent and fragrant.
The Fuji apple is a cross between "Red Delicious" and the "Ralls". It was introduced in Japan in 1962 as a juicy, firm, crunchy apple with a fine texture and spicy taste, high sugar content and low acid content. The epidermis varies between yellowish-green, with red spots, and bright red.