The typical regional sweet made with eggs, almonds, sugar and cinnamon was classified as an IGP after the favourable pronouncement of that government official on November 17, with the decision being published in the Official Gazette on Tuesday, according to the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR).

“The decision officially recognises the uniqueness of this emblematic sweet, whose application was submitted by ADRA — Association of Regional Sweets of the Algarve, valuing its traditional character, strong connection to the territory and know-how transmitted over generations,” highlighted the CCDR in a statement.

In addition to praising the knowledge passed down through generations for the making of this sweet, the CCDR (Regional Coordination and Development Commission) specified that the recipe is made “from egg threads, soft-boiled eggs with almonds, sugar and cinnamon” and highlighted that Dom Rodrigo is “one of the most representative symbols of Algarve convent sweets”.

The regional commission pointed out that the sweet “is historically associated with the cities of Lagos and Tavira, forming part of the cultural and gastronomic heritage of the region”, but stressed that its production is “currently widespread throughout the Algarve” and “preserves consolidated artisanal methods” throughout the geographical area of ​​the Faro district.

Among these methods, according to the CCDR of the Algarve, are the “preparation of the soft-boiled egg mixture with almonds, the making of the egg threads and the traditional ‘burning’ stage, resulting in the characteristic sweet in the shape of a ball, wrapped in parchment paper and coloured metallic paper”.

This is a “significant milestone for the economic, cultural and touristic development of the Algarve” that will guarantee “the protection of the product against imitations”, as well as “high standards of origin, quality and authenticity”, considered the CCDR.

“This recognition certifies to consumers that each unit is produced in the delimited geographical area – the 67 parishes of the 16 municipalities of the Algarve – and [is] subject to a rigorous system of control and certification by a competent entity,” concluded the CCDR of the Algarve.