SHAKE
Last drink you have before leaving a bar, nightclub, party, etc.

Firebreaks
Strips of land free of vegetation, at least five metres wide, intended for the passage of people and the interruption of vegetation continuity. Essential for stopping the spread of fires and facilitating fire-fighting operations, they are normally integrated into fuel management strips.

Harmful biotic agent
Microorganism or invertebrate with epidemic behaviour or pest characteristics for plants or plant products, whose listing for mainland Portugal and the European Union is included in the Forest Health Operational Programme (POSF).

MEDRONHO BREADTH
Spirituous beverage distilled from the fermentation of the fruit of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), known for its intense flavor and high alcohol content.

ALAMBIQUE
Equipment used in distillation to separate liquid components through evaporation and condensation, crucial in the production of medronho brandy.

ARABIC STILL
Traditional type of still, often wood-fired, used for distilling arbutus brandy, with a rounded shape and slow distillation.

BATH-MARINE STILL
Still model for distilling dense masses such as arbutus, indirectly heating the mass with water or other heat conductors, ensuring a more stable distillation temperature.

Amadia / breeding cork
Cork extracted from the third stripping, with properties suitable for quality stoppers. Previous extractions have other uses. From this stage onwards, cork is extracted every nine years.

Aquifer
Underground water reserve formed in porous and permeable rocks, which retain and allow the circulation of rainwater. This water feeds springs, rivers and lakes, being filtered by the rocks.

Afforestation
Planting trees in places where they did not previously exist or where the forest presence was minimal. One of the categories of planting, distinct from reforestation.

Protected area
Area with fauna, flora, landscape or ecosystems of scientific, cultural or ecological importance, requiring conservation and management measures to preserve natural resources and heritage. Includes National Parks, Natural Parks, Reserves, Monuments, Classified Sites and Protected Landscapes.

Natural areas
Areas with low human intervention, important for regulating cycles such as water and carbon, providing ecosystem services essential to life and biodiversity. The definition varies between organizations and studies.

ARRAMADAS
Traditional rustic structures for storing agricultural products, such as arbutus, or as temporary shelter during the harvest.

VAPOR DRAG
Distillation method that uses water vapor to extract volatile compounds from the fermented dough, making the process more efficient and with less temperature variation.

Hydrographic basin
Drainage area of ​​a watercourse, where all rainwater converges into the same river and its tributaries, delimited by ridges and elevations up to the mouth of the river in the ocean.

Wastelands
Community lands, historically important for rural subsistence (grazing, gathering, hunting, fishing), currently owned and managed by local communities, despite the initial connotation of worthless land.

SPOUT
The continuous flow of spirits that comes out of the still after distillation. A "sharp spout" indicates a correct and constant flow.

Biofuels
Fuels of non-fossil biological origin, produced from plant material that has not undergone fossilization, such as firewood, biomass, ethanol or biodiesel.

Bioeconomy
Analysis of the production, consumption and distribution of goods and services integrating biological concepts. It involves the sustainable production of goods from renewable biological resources (forests, animals, plants, microorganisms), valuing ecosystem services and promoting bioproducts.

Circular bioeconomy
It integrates the circular economy and the bioeconomy, promoting the efficient use of renewable biological resources through closed circuits, minimizing environmental impacts and waste.

Bioenergy
Renewable energy obtained from biomass.

Biome
Large sets of interconnected communities with similar physical, biological and climatic characteristics, defined by a dominant vegetation type, such as tropical forests, deserts, savannas or the Mediterranean biome.

Biomass
Organic matter produced and/or accumulated in a living being or ecosystem.

Biomass (vegetable)
Organic material present in plants, resulting from photosynthesis that transforms carbon dioxide into carbohydrates (sugars and cellulose), representing organically stored solar energy.

Bosquete
Small group of trees.

HEAD OF THE AGUARDENTE
First fraction of the distillation of medronho brandy, containing undesirable volatile compounds and being discarded.

VALUE CHAIN
Set of activities involved in the production and marketing of a product, from harvesting the fruit to selling the medronho brandy.

STILL HELMET
Upper part of the still that directs the alcoholic vapors to the condenser.

TAIL OF THE AGUARDENTE
Last fraction of the distillation of medronho brandy, with heavier components, which can be reused in future distillations.

MEDRONHO INTERPRETATIVE CENTER
Space dedicated to the preservation, dissemination and promotion of medronho culture through exhibitions, demonstrations and educational activities.

Forest certification
Forest management accreditation system that guarantees compliance with environmental, social and economic criteria according to quality and transparency standards, validated by independent audits. In Portugal, there are two certification programs.

Biogeochemical cycle
Cyclic pathway of chemical elements essential to life (carbon, oxygen, water, phosphorus, nitrogen), absorbed and recycled by living organisms, water, air or soil. In the carbon cycle, atmospheric CO2 is released through respiration or decomposition/combustion, circulating or being retained in natural sinks.

CO2 equivalent
International measure that expresses the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) in terms of the equivalent quantity of carbon dioxide (CO2), allowing the emissions of different GHGs to be added together.

STILL CONDENSER
Component of the still where the alcohol vapor is cooled and transformed back into liquid, which can be a coil or a tube immersed in cold water.

Intermediate consumption
Consumption of goods by companies for transformation until they become final products, calculated based on the cost of goods sold, materials consumed, external services and indirect taxes.

Backfire
Use of fire in support zones, in front of a fire, to interact with the main front, changing its direction or extinguishing it.

Cup
Aerial part of the plant, including branches, leaves, flowers and fruits.

HEART OF THE AGUARDENT
Central fraction of the distillation of medronho brandy, representing the best quality consumable part.

Desertification
Degradation of soil, landscape and bio-productive systems in arid, semi-arid and sub-humid areas, caused by climate change and human activities, leading to loss of fertility and decline of agriculture and natural species.

Deforestation / clearing
Permanent destruction of forests and forested areas for conversion to other non-forest uses, such as agriculture, pastures or urban areas.

DISTILLATION
Physicochemical process of separating components of a liquid solution based on different boiling points, essential in the production of medronho brandy.

DISTILLERY
Place where the distillation of brandy takes place, which can be artisanal, communal or industrial.

COMMUNITY DISTILLERY
Infrastructure shared by small producers to legally distill medronho brandy, promoting cooperation and sustainability.

Remote sensing
Techniques that obtain information from a distance about the Earth's surface through the emission and reflection of energy, such as aerial photographs and satellite images, functioning in a similar way to sonar.

Ecosystem
Dynamic set of living beings in a region and the abiotic factors that influence them (light, rain, temperature, radiation, wind, soil).

Entomology
Area of ​​biology that studies insects, their physical, behavioral and reproductive characteristics, and their relationships with other organisms and the environment, covering areas such as agriculture, forestry, medicine and forensics.

Grafting
Reproduction/multiplication technique that joins parts of two plants to form one, combining the root system of the rootstock with the desired characteristics of the graft.

Erosion (soil)
Process of displacement of earth or rocks from a surface, caused by natural phenomena or human action.

Sclerophyllous
Trees and shrubs adapted to the dry Mediterranean climate and frequent fires, with persistent, hard and small leaves, thick bark and the ability to regenerate by sprouting or seed germination stimulated by fire.

Endemic species
Species native to a specific area, with distribution restricted to that region.

Naturalized species
Exotic species that has adapted to its new habitat and coexists in a balanced way with native species.

Evapotranspiration
Combination of evaporation (loss of water from soil, rivers and wet canopies) with transpiration (loss of water from the plant).

Pollen extraction
Collection of pollen from the male structures of flowers to pollinate the female structures of other plants, aiming to combine desirable characteristics. The pollen can be preserved for future use.

Firebreak strip
A strip of land without vegetation, usually 10 to 20 meters wide, to reduce the risk of fires, located near houses, buildings, roads and paths.

Abiotic factors
Physical, chemical or physicochemical influences of the environment in an ecosystem on living beings, such as light, water, CO2, temperature or soil nutrients.

Biotic factors
Effects caused by organisms that affect other populations, such as the availability of food or the presence of pests and diseases.

FERMENTATION
Initial stage in the production of medronho brandy, where the fruit's sugars are converted into alcohol by natural yeasts.

Phenotype
Visible characteristics of an organism, resulting from the interaction between its genotype and the environment, including aspects such as size, flowering, color and shape of leaves in plants and trees.

Plant Health / Plant Health
Set of sciences and practices related to plant health.

Phloem
Conductive tissue within the bark of vascular plants that transports the products of photosynthesis (primarily glucose) from the leaves to the growing and storage areas.

Forest
Land with an area ≥ 5,000 m² and width ≥ 20 m, with trees covering ≥ 10%, source of wood and non-wood products and environmental services.

Conservation forest
Forest areas intended for the conservation of classified habitats, protected species, geomonuments or genetic resources.

Production forest
Forest established to produce woody goods (timber, cork, biomass) and non-woody goods (fruits, seeds, resins).

Protection forest
Forested area to maintain environmental or ecosystem services, such as protection of the hydrographic network, erosion control, soil recovery, pollutant filtration and carbon sequestration.

native forest
Forest composed of native species, naturally present in a given area, such as oak forests in mainland Portugal.

Planted forest
Forest with trees established by intentional planting or sowing of native or exotic species, such as pine forests, eucalyptus forests and montados.

Primary / natural forest
Forest of naturally regenerated native species, with no visible signs of human activity and with ecological processes not significantly disturbed.

semi-natural forest
Forest with native and exotic species, regenerated naturally or by planting, such as groves subject to grazing.

Hardwoods
Angiosperm trees with flowers and flat, broad leaves, such as oaks, birches, beeches or willows.

Photosynthesis
Physical-chemical process in which plants and other green beings with chlorophyll use solar energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen, water and glucose.

Galls or cecidia
Tumor-like structures formed by plants in response to attacks by insects, fungi or bacteria, such as oak galls.

Greenhouse gases (GHG)
Gases that absorb some of the infrared radiation emitted by the Earth, retaining heat. They include water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs).

Fuel management
Practices to reduce plant and woody material in an area, making it difficult for fire to spread, by creating strips and plots with less vegetation.

Sustainable Forest Management
Administration and use of forests and forest areas in order to maintain biodiversity, productivity, regeneration, vitality and potential for ecological, economic and social functions, without harming other ecosystems, in accordance with Portuguese Standard NP 4406.

Yolk or gem
Groups of undifferentiated cells at the ends of branches or leaf axils, which can give rise to new branches, leaves or flowers.

Degree of coverage
Ratio between the area of ​​the horizontal projection of the treetops and the total area of ​​the area considered.

Habitat
Geographic space and biotic factors that condition an ecosystem and the distribution of populations of one or more species, defining locations and environmental conditions favorable to their development.

Halophytes (plants)
Terrestrial plants adapted to living in or near the sea, tolerant to salinity, capable of absorbing and accumulating salt in their leaves, and rich in nutrients.

Hectare
Unit of measurement of area equivalent to 10 thousand square meters.

Heliophyte
Plant species that require a lot of sunlight.

Heritability
Measure of the proportion of phenotypic variation controlled by genetic factors, unrelated to the environment.

Humus
Dark, heterogeneous, decomposition-resistant soil organic matter resulting from advanced transformation of organic residues.

Uneducated
Uncultivated areas, occupied by bushes and natural pastures without human intervention.

Forest Fire Risk Index
Numerical classification indicating the relative probability of fire initiation and spread and the likely resistance to control, based on the condition of fuels and meteorology.

Forest-based industries
Manufacturing industries that use the forest as their main source of raw materials, including cork, pulp and paper, wood and furniture.

Sustainable intensification
Production model (agricultural and forestry) that aims to produce more with efficient use of resources (water, soil, biodiversity) and fewer industrial inputs, preferring natural processes.

Urban-forest interface
Physical space where forest vegetation and urban structures coexist, creating an environment conducive to fires, common in much of Portugal.

Marshes
Semi-natural permanent pastures in mountain areas (above 700-800 m), usually close to water, traditionally important for feeding livestock in rural landscape mosaics.

water table
It is a natural reservoir of groundwater, formed by rainwater that infiltrates and accumulates below the surface, creating a kind of underground river that transports water to rivers and springs. Groundwater is an aquifer that is essential for the maintenance and balance of nature.

Lignin
It is one of the main components of terrestrial plant tissues, responsible for cell rigidity and tissue protection against attacks by microorganisms. It is a polymer present in wood and accounts for 15 to 35% of its weight. In the paper pulp production process, this polymer is extracted to obtain a cellulose pulp with a higher content of cellulose and hemicelluloses. In this process, the removed lignin forms part of the so-called Black Liquor.

Woody (material)
Having the appearance or characteristics of wood. Includes trunks, branches, twigs and stems.

Distillery Licensing
Bureaucratic process required for a distillery to operate legally, subject to regulations imposed by the European Union and Portuguese authorities.

Batch
Set of spirits produced in a single still or mixed to create a uniform product in terms of flavor and alcohol content.

Organic matter (from soil)
All material that is produced by living organisms (animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms) and that is found in the soil in various states of decomposition. It is also considered that the microorganisms that act in decomposition are also part of the organic matter.

Forest Reproductive Materials (FRM)
All reproductive materials of forest species and their artificial hybrids. These include plants for afforestation, seeds or plant parts (such as cuttings, scions or embryos).

Matos
Area in which there are herbaceous and shrub species – herbs and bushes – that grow naturally and without human intervention, agricultural or forestry. It can also refer to the set of herbs and bushes existing in a given area.

Strawberry tree
Fruit of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), small, reddish in color when ripe, used both for direct consumption and for the production of brandy, jams, teas and cosmetics.

Strawberry tree
Tree or shrub native to the Mediterranean region, resistant and of great ecological importance, whose fruit is used in the production of brandy and other derivatives.

Melosa
Traditional liqueur made from arbutus brandy mixed with honey, resulting in a smoother, sweeter drink.

Mycorrhiza (mycorrhizal association)
A beneficial, symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi that live in the soil where plant roots develop. It allows plants to improve their mineral nutrition and become more resistant to pathogens, enhancing their growth, while providing fungi with a continuous source of the nutrients they need to live.

Mineralization (of organic matter)
biological process through which organic matter is transformed into inorganic substances, making the nutrients contained in the organic matter available in mineral forms that can be absorbed and used by plants.

Mitigate
In the environment, it is a human intervention that aims to reduce the consequences or mitigate the damage of a certain environmental impact, such as climate change.

Soil mobilization
Interventions that aim to decompact the soil, that is, to intervene in the upper layer of the soil, aerating it and facilitating the penetration of plant roots and water infiltration. It can be done manually (e.g. with a hoe) or with machinery (e.g. cultivators or tractors).

Must
Fermented medronho mass, resulting from the fermentation process, which will later be distilled to produce brandy.

CAP (Common Agricultural Policy)
Set of European Union policies that regulate agriculture and agri-food production, affecting the production and marketing of medronho brandy.

Pedology
Branch of science dedicated to the study of soil, covering the identification, formation, classification and mapping of soils. It has applications in areas such as geography, agronomy, archaeology and biology.

Carbon footprint
Measure that calculates the impact of human activities on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, generally expressed in tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (CO2eq).

Evergreens
Also known as evergreen species, these are trees or shrubs that keep leaves all year round (e.g. cork oak, holm oak, laurel).

Permafrost / Pergelisol
Type of soil that remains frozen continuously for two or more years. It is found mainly in polar regions.

pH
A measure of soil acidity based on the concentration of hydrogen ions. The scale ranges from 0 (acid) to 14 (alkaline), with 7 being neutral. It influences the availability of nutrients in the soil.

Forest Management Plan
Instrument that determines, in time and space, the interventions to be carried out in forest areas (e.g. cutting, fuel management, fertilization), aiming at sustainable production.

Seedlings
Young plants.

Controlled pollination
Method that allows crossing plants with desired characteristics, transferring pollen from a “father” to the “mother” intentionally, with the aim of genetic improvement.

Cultivated Orchard
Agricultural area where strawberry trees are planted in an organized and controlled manner, in contrast to crops grown in forest areas.

Forest settlement
Wooded area with at least 0.5 hectares and more than 10% degree of cover. It can be mixed or pure (with predominance of one species).

Artisanal Production
Traditional manufacturing method, often on a small scale, using techniques inherited over generations.

Non-timber forest products (NTFP)
Products of forestry origin other than wood, such as cork, honey, mushrooms, wild fruits, medicinal plants, among others.

Burn
Use of fire to eliminate waste from agricultural or forestry exploitation that was previously piled up, in compliance with legislation.

Burnt
Use of fire to eliminate vegetation and renew pastures for livestock, as defined in legislation.

Natural Resources
Elements that can be used by humans and that occur naturally on Earth. Resources can be:

Reforestation
Planting trees in previously forested areas that have been destroyed or damaged.

Natural Regeneration
Process by which the strawberry tree grows spontaneously in forest areas without human intervention, being one of the main sources of strawberry tree for distillation.
Reflux
Process by which part of the steam from the still condenses and returns to the must, enriching the spirit with desirable aromatic compounds.

National Ecological Reserve (REN)
Legal document that establishes a set of conditions for land use and occupation, based on the protection of natural resources and safeguarding of ecosystems. The REN defines a set of areas that, due to their ecological value and sensitivity or exposure and susceptibility to natural risks, are subject to special protection and restrictions of public utility at national level, in accordance with the provisions of Decree-Law no. 166/2008, of August 22.

Plant / agricultural or forestry residue
Residual plant material resulting from agricultural or forestry activities, with no apparent value to its holder. When it has energy value, it should be defined as “residual forest biomass”.

Resinous
Evergreen tree species with needle-like or scale-shaped leaves that have existed for over 300 million years. Pines, firs, cryptomeria, sequoias, cedars and cypresses are some examples of softwoods, among over 600 other species.

Breathing (cellular)
The process by which cells exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with the environment. Cellular respiration and photosynthesis are complementary processes, since during respiration, the products of photosynthesis are consumed: carbohydrates and oxygen. On the other hand, the carbon dioxide and water released during respiration serve as the basis for photosynthesis.

Forest Restoration
Planting new trees in degraded forest areas with the aim of increasing the number of trees present, recovering biodiversity, repairing habitats and restoring the structure and function of forests and their ecosystem services.

Riparian or riparian (vegetation, forest)
Riparian vegetation refers to vegetation or forests found along the banks of streams, rivers and other freshwater courses, with species that may vary depending on the region, altitude and climate, but which are mostly shrubs and trees that are resistant to submersion by floods. Their role is important in protecting the banks of watercourses, delimiting their bed and promoting fish stocks.

Rotation
Age at which a stand is planned to be cut. This includes the time interval between planting and final cutting.

Secondary (cork)
Name given to the cork extracted in the second extraction. It is not of good quality for the production of stoppers, and is used, together with leftovers and virgin cork, for the production of other products, such as insulation, flooring, construction, fashion, health, energy production or the aerospace industry.

Carbon Sequestration
A process that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and that occurs naturally in the oceans, forests and other places where organisms carry out photosynthesis. In forests, carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and becomes a constituent part of the structure of trees and plants, being “retained” in the vegetation and soil.

Serpentine
Spiral tube inside the condenser, where the alcoholic vapor is cooled and converted back to liquid.

Ecosystem services / environmental services
Ecosystem, from the Greek oikos – house + system, defines the set formed by a group of organisms and the area they occupy, as well as all the interactions that occur between them. These are environmental services generated by ecosystems, which benefit human beings and communities, and are essential for well-being and socioeconomic development. The services provided include, among others, the regulation of water and air quality, soil conservation, recreational values ​​and the preservation of biodiversity.

Forestry
Area of ​​knowledge that studies the natural and artificial methods of establishing, regenerating and improving forest stands with a view to their responsible use and exploitation. The term also refers to the application of this knowledge on the ground, in order to make rational use of forests.

Preventive Silviculture
Set of measures applied to the composition and structure of forest stands to improve their potential and help prevent fires.

Symbiosis (biology)
Association of two or more different organisms that allows them to live with mutual benefit.

Root System
Set of roots of a plant.

Over-fermentation
Prolonged fermentation of the medronho that can result in undesirable changes in the flavor of the brandy.

Leftovers
They consist of woody and plant material “left over” from agroforestry activities, particularly in the context of fire prevention and fighting, but also from pruning, phytosanitary cutting and other maintenance of green spaces. The leftovers are included in the designation “residual forest biomass”, along with waste from industries that process woody material.

Water Stress
Stress caused when there is not enough water for the plant to absorb and replace that lost through transpiration. It can lead to the cessation of plant growth and, eventually, its death.

Forest Sustainability
Practice that aims at the responsible use of natural resources, ensuring the conservation of the strawberry tree and its ecosystem.

Thermophilic
Designates organisms that like warm climates and develop better at high temperatures.

Little shot
A small dose of medronho brandy, usually served in small 15 ml glasses. Also known as “mosquito” or “pirolito”.

Stump / Stump
Base of the trunk and root of the tree that remains after the cut and from which new shoots can be emitted, which are called rods, poles or heels.

Test Tap
Small outlet in the still or condenser that allows samples of the spirit to be collected during the distillation process to assess its quality.

Perspiration (cellular)
Mechanism that allows plants to release water absorbed by the roots through their leaves. It is a thermal regulation mechanism that also allows mineral nutrients absorbed by the roots to circulate throughout the plant.

Virgin (cork)
Name given to the first cork that is extracted from the cork oak, around 20-30 years old, when the tree reaches a trunk circumference of 70 cm measured at 1.30 m from the ground. It is not of good quality for the production of corks, and is used, together with the leftovers and secondary cork, for the production of other products, such as insulation, flooring, construction, fashion, health, energy production or the aerospace industry.

Vinasse
Liquid residue resulting from distillation, which can be reused as fertilizer or discarded.

Xylem
Conductive tissue that transports water and mineral salts from the roots, where they are absorbed, to the upper part of the plants. As its name suggests, it is located inside the trunks and forms the wood or timber.

Forest Intervention Zones (ZIF)
Continuous and delimited territorial area, composed of farms (mostly forestry) owned by several different owners and managed by a single entity (ZIF Management Entity). Each ZIF is subject to a Forest Management Plan and complies with the provisions of the Municipal Forest Fire Defense Plans.