Discover Portugal: Acores
Welcome to the Açores, the next stop in our Discover Portugal series.
Located about 870 miles west of Lisboa, the Açores are a nine-island volcanic archipelago celebrated for their pristine natural beauty. Their rich biodiversity and geological significance have earned them a designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Despite occupying only 3% of Portugal's land, the Açores produce over half of its cheese. These primarily cow’s milk cheeses have a distinct terroir shaped by the islands' volcanic soil that have earned many of them the Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) certification.
The Açores are home to the only tea plantations in Europe, located on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira. The islands' humid, subtropical environment and acidic volcanic soil provide the perfect conditions for tea to thrive without the need for chemical pesticides
The Açores are one of the largest marine sanctuaries in the world, with more than 20 different species of whales and dolphins migrating through. Sperm whales can be spotted just a few miles off the coast year-round, and blue whales are spotted most frequently from March to June.
Cozido das Furnas is a hearty stew slow-cooked by the geothermal heat of São Miguel’s Furnas Valley. This beloved Azorean tradition involves burying a large pot filled with beef, pork, chicken, chouriço, and root vegetables near volcanic vents for several hours. The result is a tender, flavorful meal infused with natural volcanic heat.
You can watch a video of this process here.
While we can't help you recreate geothermal vents in your kitchen, you can shop our selection of chouriço to create your own Portguese feast.
Here at Portugalia Marketplace, we are proud to carry brands from the Açores so that you can experience the beauty of the islands at home.
