¿Qué es lo que hace que un queso sea realmente especial? ¿Es la técnica de producción, la calidad de la leche o la denominación de origen que lo hace único? ¡Vamos a descubrirlo!
El Queijo Serra da Canastra
Produced in the west of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, the Queijo Serra da Canastra is undoubtedly the most famous cheese in Brazil. This cheese has been produced since the 17th century and was brought to Brazil by Portuguese immigrants. The economy of Minas Gerais was initially based on gold and precious stones, later shifting to milk and coffee.
Tipo de leche: Leche de vaca
Denominación de origen: IP (Indicação Protegida)
Cantidad de materia grasa: 30-40%
This cheese is produced in a demarcated zone that includes 7 municipalities: São Roque de Minas, Tapiraí, Medeiros, Piumhi, Delfinópolis, Bambui, and Vargem Bonita. There are 2,096 producers in this zone, producing an average of 300 liters per day per producer. This cheese generates 5,227 direct jobs in the rural areas of Serra da Canastra.
Tradición y técnica de producción
The technique of producing Queijo Serra da Canastra was registered as Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Brazilian Ministry of Culture in 2008. The production process is traditional, with no machines used except for the milking machine in some productions. The women produce the cheese, while the men take care of the cattle. The milk is curdled and then pressed manually, using wooden utensils and molds.
Maduración: Variable, from fresh to 3 months or more
The cheese is available in three formats: Merendeiro (small, around 300-500g), Tradicional (around 1kg), and Real (around 5kg, produced especially for special occasions). The cheese has a strong national passion and identity in Brazil.
Vinos de maridaje
Queijo Serra da Canastra is often accompanied by cachaça, a traditional Brazilian spirit made from sugarcane juice. The combination is a classic. However, you can also pair it with coffee for a delicious breakfast.
And that’s not all! In 2014, Queijo Serra da Canastra won the Silver Medal at the Mondial du Fromage in Tours, France, marking the first international medal for a Brazilian artisanal cheese.
Stay tuned for more amazing cheese stories!