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The Guia Pé Fértil 2026, by Sementes Vivas, is dedicated to growing traditional Portuguese aromatic herbs, with planting techniques and specific care for each region. A special edition combining ancestral wisdom with modern practices, celebrating the varieties that define Portugal's gastronomic and territorial identity. Note: this guide is written in Portuguese.

Traditional Growing of Portuguese Aromatic Herbs

This special edition of the Guia Pé Fértil 2026 explores the aromatic herbs that shape Portugal's culinary and territorial identity, from Beira Baixa's oregano to Alentejo's coriander. Developed by Sementes Vivas, the guide presents techniques adapted to each region's specific climate and soil conditions, celebrating traditional know-how and local biodiversity.

What You'll Find in Each Chapter

Each chapter details planting methods, ideal seasons, specific care and preservation methods, respecting local traditions. It also includes technical data on growth cycles, water needs, soil types and beneficial companion planting in the garden.

A Guide for All Levels

You don't need a garden or prior experience to make the most of this guide. The information is organised practically, designed both for beginners and for those who have grown aromatic herbs for years and want to deepen their regional knowledge.

Why Choose This Guide

• Region-specific growing advice, adapted to each area of Portugal
• Ancestral techniques, validated by practice
• Aromatic herbs of Portuguese cuisine, from north to south
• Practical format, softcover, easy to consult in the garden
• Developed by Sementes Vivas, in Idanha-a-Nova

These Sementes Vivas organic Colourful Garden seed balls, available at Geocakes, are a simple, fun way to sow seeds as a family. Each of the 6 spheres combines an organic floral mix that transforms, over the summer, into a small garden full of colour and life.

Colourful Garden: Sowing as a Family

No tools or prior experience needed: just place the ball on the soil and water it. That's why these spheres are one of the simplest first contacts a child can have with gardening, watching, week after week, their own flowers grow. These seeds reach you through Sementes Vivas, a Geocakes partner based in Idanha-a-Nova, with organic and Demeter (biodynamic farming) certification, sharing the same values of respect for the land and the Naturtejo Geopark's natural cycles.

An Activity for the Whole Family

The mix includes cornflower, cosmos and poppy, among other varieties, which grow between 60 and 100 cm tall and appear gradually, keeping the curiosity alive throughout the season. It's a good excuse to pull the little ones away from the screen for a few minutes, hands in the soil.

How to Sow with Little Ones

Choose a pot or a sunny corner of the garden, place the balls on the soil without burying them, and water regularly until germination. The ideal sowing period runs from January to May. The clay and organic substrate protect the seed, making the process foolproof, even for a child's first gardening attempts.

Why Choose These Seeds

• Organic and Demeter seeds, no chemical treatments
• Simple application, ideal for sowing with children
• A diverse floral mix, flowering throughout summer
• Attracts bees and butterflies, a good introduction to biodiversity
• From Idanha-a-Nova, at the heart of the Naturtejo Geopark

The Medium Marafona is an authentic handcrafted rag doll from Monsanto, an ancestral symbol of Beira Baixa that celebrates fertility and marital happiness. Made with a wooden cross frame and wrapped in colourful fabric in regional costume, this traditional piece preserves the region's centuries-old know-how, carrying with it the beliefs and traditions that protect the home from storms and the evil eye.

Traditional Monsanto Doll with an Ancestral Story

The Medium Marafona represents one of the most authentic expressions of Portuguese craftwork from Beira Baixa. This traditional rag doll, measuring 7x7 cm, is carefully made following ancestral techniques passed down through generations in the historic village of Monsanto.

Each marafona features a wooden cross frame wrapped in fabric, dressed in a colourful regional costume that reflects the region's cultural richness. The colours are chosen at random, making each piece unique and one-of-a-kind.

Key Features

• Traditional protection against storms and negative energies
• An ancestral symbol of fertility and marital happiness
• Preserves centuries-old Beira Baixa traditions
• A unique handcrafted piece in random colours
• A decorative element with deep cultural meaning

Beira Baixa Tradition and Symbolism

According to Monsanto tradition, young women of marrying age would place marafonas on the bed to protect the home from storms and ward off the evil eye. On the wedding day, they were kept under the bed, since without eyes, ears or mouth, they see nothing, hear nothing and can tell nothing, thus preserving the couple's intimacy and attracting fertility.

This rag doll is intrinsically linked to the fertility cult, representing one of the purest expressions of Portuguese folklore and the popular wisdom of the Naturtejo Geopark region.

Geocakes' Extra Plum & Port Jam combines the natural sweetness of Beira Baixa plums with the distinctive character of Port Wine. Handcrafted using a whole-fruit recipe that preserves both skin and pulp, it's a 100% natural creation that celebrates the authentic flavours of the territory.

Authentic Flavours from Beira Baixa

This handcrafted jam results from the harmonious combination of local plums and Port Wine, creating a unique tasting experience that celebrates Portuguese jam-making tradition. By using both skin and pulp in the whole-fruit recipe, we concentrate flavour and preserve the fruit's natural nutrients.

Our formula includes 77g of fruit per 100g of product, guaranteeing a rich texture and an intense flavour. Each jar is carefully prepared by Chefs Raquel and Mário Rui Ramos, with over 40 years of experience in the culinary arts.

How to Use at Home

The touch of Port Wine makes this jam especially versatile beyond the traditional breakfast table. Try it on cured sheep's or goat's cheese, on a charcuterie board with cured sausage or cured ham, on toasted wheat bread, alongside natural Greek yoghurt, or as a complement to dark chocolate desserts.

Key Features

• 100% natural, no GMOs or additives
• Lactose-free and gluten-free
• Rich in fruit, 77g per 100g of product
• Whole-fruit recipe, with skin and pulp for more flavour and nutrients
• Handcrafted production in Beira Baixa, Idanha-a-Nova

Authentic Flavour from Beira Baixa

This organic extra strawberry jam comes from Geocakes' handcrafted know-how, a brand rooted in Idanha-a-Nova and a partner of Portugal's first UNESCO World Geopark. Made from strawberries grown in the Beira Baixa region, this jam does entirely without cane sugar and is sweetened only with concentrated organic grape juice, preserving the fruit's intense, genuine flavour.

No Cane Sugar, Just Fruit and Nature

Every spoonful reveals the strawberry's natural sweetness, balanced by the organic grape juice that replaces added cane sugar. The result is a jam that is vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free and GMO-free, true to Beira Baixa's traditional recipes and to the double organic certification that accompanies all Geocakes production.

Handcrafted, Territorial Production

Made at Geocakes' atelier in Idanha-a-Nova, this extra jam follows handcrafted methods that respect the fruit's own timing and the tradition of Portuguese preserves, with no industrial shortcuts. With no unnecessary plastic in its packaging, each jar carries the identity of the territory where it's born, linking the Naturtejo Geopark to the table of anyone who values what is genuine and handmade.

From the Land to the Jar

Geocakes works side by side with local producers who share the same organic principles, respect for the land and seasonality. This closeness lets us guarantee a jam true to the fruit's original flavour, with no need for artificial flavourings or colourings.

How to Enjoy It

Ideal for breakfast, snacks or desserts, this jam pairs well with traditional bread, natural yoghurt or regional fresh cheeses, always bringing the concentrated flavour of strawberry with no added industrial sugars. It's also a good option for anyone looking for more natural alternatives to conventional market jams.

Key Features

• No added cane sugar
• A high strawberry content, with an intense fruit flavour
• Double organic certification, Handcrafted Product and GeoFood
• Vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free
• Handcrafted production in Beira Baixa

This rectangular poplar wood basket, measuring 24x16.5x7.5cm, represents Beira Baixa's handcrafted tradition. Made by Geocakes in Idanha-a-Nova, a partner of the UNESCO Naturtejo Global Geopark, it's the perfect choice for presenting regional products with territorial authenticity and sustainability.

Handcrafted Basket from Beira Baixa

This poplar wood basket comes from Idanha-a-Nova's traditional know-how, at the heart of the UNESCO Naturtejo Global Geopark. With precise dimensions of 24x16.5x7.5cm, it offers the ideal combination of functionality and territorial authenticity.

Poplar wood, naturally sturdy and sustainable, gives it durability and a finish that enhances any content. Every piece reflects Geocakes' commitment to short supply chains and the preservation of Beira Baixa's handcrafted traditions.

Key Features

• Sustainable, sturdy poplar wood
• Dimensions optimised for multiple uses
• UNESCO-certified territorial authenticity
• Light weight makes transport easier
• Handcrafted know-how from Beira Baixa

Technical Specifications

Dimensions: 24 x 16.5 x 7.5 cm
Material: Poplar wood
Origin: Idanha-a-Nova, Beira Baixa
Certification: UNESCO Naturtejo Geopark Partner

Marafona Grande, Ancestral Tradition from Monsanto

The Marafona Grande is a handcrafted rag doll embodying centuries of tradition from the historic village of Monsanto. Dressed in a colourful regional costume, this one-of-a-kind piece features a wooden cross frame wrapped in fabric, a process that reflects Beira Baixa's genuine know-how.

Handmade and One of a Kind

Each marafona is made entirely by hand, which guarantees that no two pieces are exactly alike. The colours of the costume are chosen at random, offering a chromatic surprise that celebrates the diversity of the regional tradition. By buying a Marafona Grande, you're taking home a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

Symbolism and Cultural Meaning

This traditional Portuguese doll is deeply linked to the fertility cult and to rituals of family protection. According to tradition, young women of marrying age would place marafonas on the bed to protect the home from storms and the evil eye. On the wedding day, they were kept under the bed, taking advantage of the fact that they have no eyes, ears or mouth, to attract fertility and marital happiness.

Key Features

• Preserves centuries-old traditions from Monsanto
• A unique, authentic handcrafted piece, colours assigned at random
• A symbol of protection and fertility in Portuguese popular culture
• Dimensions: 10 x 10 cm
• Handmade with traditional materials: wood and fabric

Use and Care

The Marafona Grande is not a toy: it is a purely decorative piece, meant to be displayed at home as a symbol of tradition and protection. To keep its beauty over time, clean only with a dry cloth, without water or cleaning products.

Handcrafted Jam from Beira Baixa

Geocakes' Extra Peach Jam is made in Idanha-a-Nova, at the heart of the Naturtejo Geopark, Portugal's first UNESCO Global Geopark. Prepared with peaches, with the fruit's skin worked into the recipe, this extra jam delivers a more intense flavour and an enveloping texture, true to the preserving methods passed down through generations in Beira Baixa.

Whole Fruit, True Flavour

By keeping the peach's skin in the preparation, Geocakes preserves part of the fruit's natural richness and achieves a jam with more character, more texture and greater depth of flavour. The result is a jam with a vivid colour and a present aroma, reminiscent of the peach as it comes off the tree. It's a jam that doesn't hide the fruit behind the sugar, but lets it take the lead.

Rooted in Tradition, Made by Hands that Know How

Made by Chefs Raquel and Mário Rui Ramos, this extra jam follows handcrafted fruit-preserving methods passed down through generations in the Beira Baixa region. Every jar reflects respect for the fruit's right time and for the land that grew it, with no rush and no industrial shortcuts.

A Flavour with Territorial Identity

More than a jam, this extra preserve is a portrait of Idanha-a-Nova and the UNESCO-recognised territory. Every spoonful brings whoever tastes it closer to the landscapes, orchards and know-how that have defined Beira Baixa for generations.

A Jam That Keeps the Right Time

Each batch of this extra jam is prepared from peaches picked at their ideal point of ripeness, respecting the rhythm of the fruit rather than that of mass production. It's this care, made with patience and attention, that sets a handcrafted jam apart from an industrial product.

Key Features

• Intense flavour, made from the whole fruit, with skin
• A traditional Beira Baixa preserving recipe
• Handcrafted production in Idanha-a-Nova
• No artificial preservatives

Handcrafted Strawberry Jam, Made in Beira Baixa

This extra strawberry jam comes from the handcrafted tradition of Beira Baixa, a region that partners with the Naturtejo Geopark, Portugal's first UNESCO Global Geopark. It's made in Idanha-a-Nova by Chefs Raquel and Mário Rui Ramos, who bring over 40 years of gastronomic experience to the recipe. Geocakes uses just three ingredients: strawberry, sugar and whole lemon, all from certified organic farming.

With a high fruit concentration, 62g of strawberry per 100g of product, this jam preserves the intense flavour and aroma of fresh fruit harvested in the region. It's a jam designed for those seeking the genuine taste of strawberry, without excess sugar masking what the land provides.

Ideal for Breakfast and Baking

Enjoy it on a slice of homemade bread or toast, with fresh cheese or regional curd cheese. It's also a good kitchen ally: pairs with natural yoghurt, fills cakes and tarts, or serves as a base for sweet-and-sour sauces with white meats. A spoonful of this jam turns any simple dessert into a tribute to Beira Baixa strawberries.

Certified Production, Short Supply Chain

The Organic Extra Strawberry Jam is part of Geocakes' extra jam range, made in Idanha-a-Nova. It has double organic certification, in production and processing, and the GeoFood Seal, awarded by the Naturtejo Geopark to products that authentically represent the territory. It's a vegan, natural jam, free of GMOs, gluten and lactose.

Why Choose This Jam

• High fruit concentration: 62g of strawberry per 100g of product
• Just three ingredients, all from certified organic farming
• Vegan and natural, free of GMOs, gluten or lactose
• Handcrafted production in Idanha-a-Nova, with a short supply chain
• Double organic certification and GeoFood Seal from the UNESCO Naturtejo Geopark

Each jar is made in small batches, respecting the rhythm of the fruit and the season. By bringing this jam to your table, you're supporting organic production in Beira Baixa and helping preserve recipes and methods that are part of this region's identity.

Cinnamon and Coconut Almonds come from Idanha-a-Nova's tradition, at the heart of Beira Baixa. This aromatic fusion between coconut's tropical sweetness and cinnamon's warmth creates a unique sensory experience, where each almond reveals flavours that melt in the mouth like pure natural magic.

Flavours of Beira Baixa with a Tropical Touch

These almonds with cinnamon and coconut represent the perfect fusion between Beira Baixa's tradition and exotic aromas. Each 140g piece is prepared with 100% natural ingredients, with no artificial additives.

The combination of the almond's crunchy texture, the warm aroma of cinnamon and coconut's tropical sweetness results in an intensely aromatic tasting experience that carries the senses on a journey between the exotic and the tropical.

Key Features

• Authentic flavour from Beira Baixa
• 100% natural ingredients
• Rich in antioxidants and healthy fats
• Long-lasting natural energy

Turn any special occasion into an unforgettable moment with our handcrafted celebration cakes, topped with delicious creamy Chantilly cream. At Geocakes, we create every cake to order, bringing in Beira Baixa's authenticity and the best techniques perfected by our chef, Raquel Ramos, with over 20 years of experience. Great for special occasions, family parties, birthdays, corporate celebrations, weddings, christenings and more.

Celebration Cake with Chantilly Cream Icing

Each cake is a unique creation, made at Geocakes' facilities in Idanha-a-Nova. The creamy Chantilly icing provides the perfect base for unlimited personalisation, from edible printing to decorative sculpting.

We use ingredients from local producers in the region and follow quality principles guaranteeing authentic flavours that honour Beira Baixa's sweet-making tradition.

Key Features

• Full personalisation - bespoke decorations
• Handcrafted production - Beira Baixa tradition
• Authentic flavour - that special taste
• Short supply chains - fresh local products

Personalisation Options

Turn your idea into reality through multiple options: personalised edible printing, decorative sculpting, themed toppers, colourful macarons, puff-pastry details, edible flowers and fresh berries. Send us your inspiration through our chat or upload images directly on the product page.

The "Bago de Arroz" Black-Eyed Pea is one of Beira Baixa's rarest traditional varieties, organically grown by Geocakes. This small, delicate bean, with deep roots in ancestral Portuguese farming, offers a mild flavour and exceptional texture, perfect for anyone seeking authenticity and territorial quality in their dishes.

Organic Tradition from Beira Baixa

The "Bago de Arroz" Black-Eyed Pea is a rare, exclusive variety, deeply rooted in Beira Baixa's farming tradition. A Geocakes favourite, this bean represents the most genuine side of Portuguese food culture.

Small, delicate and uniform, it stands out for its mild flavour and light texture after cooking. This Beira variety keeps the original characteristics preserved by local farmers across generations.

Key Features

• A rare traditional Portuguese variety
• Certified sustainable organic farming
• Delicate texture and mild flavour
• Quick, even cooking
• Rich in plant protein

Distinctive Features

This black-eyed pea has small, uniform beans, typical of the "bago de arroz" variety. Its organic production respects the land's natural cycles, preserving the nutrients and authentic flavour that characterise this ancestral pulse.

Net weight: 500 grams
Shelf life: see label or contact us
Origin: Beira Baixa, Naturtejo Geopark region.

Sementes Vivas' organic Giant Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds, available at Geocakes, produce majestic plants that can reach 2 metres in height. With a large dark-brown centre surrounded by golden petals, they're one of the simplest spectacles to grow in any garden or vegetable patch, even for someone who has never planted anything before.

Giant Sunflower: Majesty from Beira Baixa

Each plant develops one large main flower, and may also form a few smaller side flowers depending on growing conditions, soil and spacing between plants. These seeds reach you through Sementes Vivas, a Geocakes partner based in Idanha-a-Nova, with organic and Demeter (biodynamic farming) certification, sharing the same values of respect for the land and the Naturtejo Geopark's natural cycles.

How to Grow It in Your Garden

Sow in full sun with well-drained soil, once the risk of frost has passed. The Giant Sunflower grows quickly and doesn't need complicated care, but benefits from regular watering while it develops and plenty of space for its roots to establish. Each pack contains 5g of seeds, enough for several plants across your garden or vegetable patch.

A Curious Fact About the Sun

While still young, before the flower fully opens, the Giant Sunflower actually follows the sun's movement throughout the day, a phenomenon called heliotropism. After flowering, the flower settles facing east, ready to catch the first rays of sun each morning, and stops moving for the rest of the day.

Why Choose These Seeds

• Organic and Demeter seeds, no chemical treatments
• Giant flowers, up to 2 metres tall
• Attracts bees and other pollinators, an ally for biodiversity
• Edible seeds, a bonus after flowering
• From Idanha-a-Nova, at the heart of the Naturtejo Geopark