Chestnuts were for many centuries a staple food in the diet of traditional peasant families, playing an important role in subsistence, constituting a fundamental resource in the economy of regions conducive to chestnut cultivation.

The history of Castanha da Terra Fria PDO is closely linked to the geographical area. The chestnut tree is one of the main trees that grow in the region of Bragança and has always been important for the survival of the local rural population, not being currently just a source of food, but playing an important role in the local economy. Chestnuts were already an important source of food in Roman times, as potatoes were only introduced in Portugal after 1789.
Today chestnut is used creatively in all kitchens, both in making desserts and as an accompaniment to dishes.

The fruits obtained from the chestnut varieties Longal, Judia, Côta, Amarelal, Lamela, Aveleira, Boa Ventura, Trigueira, Martaínha and Negral are called Castanha da Terra Fria PDO.
Source: https://tradicional.dgadr.gov.pt/pt/?id=915:castanha-da-terra-fria-dop