Maronesa DOP beef is obtained from Maronesa breed cattle from the area bordered by the Marão, Alvão and Padrela mountain ranges. It is a beef with fat that is white to ivory white, depending on whether it is a calf or an adult animal. The muscle is pink to dark red, also depending on the age of the animal. The Maronesa breed is defined as a mountain breed, primitive, natural and rustic. Its main physical characteristics are its dark brown to black coat and the tuft of hair on its head, which is lighter in colour. This cattle is responsible for the Maronesa DOP beef, which is simple and has a delicate aroma, extremely tasty and juicy. It can be presented as: “veal”, when the animals are slaughtered between 5 and 9 months old and weigh between 75 and 130 kg; “ox meat”, when they are between 9 and 24 months old and weigh at least 130 kg; and finally, “veal”, the carcass of animals slaughtered between 2 and 4 years of age and weighing between 200 and 300 kg. Cattle are raised in a traditional livestock farming system, serving as a means of soil fertilisation. The management regime and diet depend on the age of the animals. Thus, calves are fed exclusively on mother’s milk until they are 2/3 months old. Afterwards, they are fed with hay, corn flour, alone or mixed with potatoes, and tender grass. Adult animals are fed a mixed diet. They are fed mainly outdoors, but also in stables when climatic conditions are more adverse for pasture reproduction.