Bolo de Tacho is a staple of Monchique’s gastronomic heritage
Monchique’s Bolo de Tacho cake has been officially included in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The announcement was published in the State gazette Diário da República by public institute Património Cultural.
The decision to include Bolo de Tacho in the national registry was made on March 26, 2025, following a proposal from the Department of Cultural Assets. The process also involved a 30-day public consultation, which started on January 13, allowing for community input before final approval.
Known also as Bolo de Maio or Bolo de Milho, this traditional cake is made using local ingredients – cornmeal, olive oil, honey, and pork lard – and can be flavoured with everything from coffee and cocoa powder to a range of spices.
According to the Rede de Museus do Algarve (Algarve Museum Network), the cake was made exclusively in May, as it was the main component of the picnic baskets or snacks that people brought to the traditional “desmaios” (picnics) held in the Monchique mountains on May 1.
The cake has since become one of Monchique’s most famous treats which can be found all-year-long at local pastry shops, as well as stores selling regional products across the Algarve.
