Mandala 12 meses, Monto da Serra, Canastra reserva do Ivaí, Canastra Serjão Maturado, and Queijo Minas Artesanal Quilombo na Cachaça are types of cheese that have received recognition for their quality at the World Cheese and Dairy Products Competition, organized by the French entity Guilde Internationale des Fromagers. In addition to these five Brazilian products, which won gold medals in the competition, another 52 were awarded in various categories, with the next edition set to take place in Inhotim (MG).
In total, 940 cheeses from 46 countries participated in the initiative. Of the winners, 40 were produced in the state of Minas Gerais and 15 in São Paulo. Brazil was the second country with the highest number of medals, trailing only the host, France. Cheeses developed in Pará, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Paraná also participated in the awards.
The Minister of Tourism, Gilson Machado Neto, congratulated the competition winners and highlighted the importance of these titles for Brazilian tourism. “We are already recognized for our hospitality, and now the world can appreciate a bit of our cuisine, especially our cheeses, which are traditional delicacies from some destinations in the country. From what we have seen, we are expanding our production and working to generate income alternatives for family farmers who also work with tourism and put food on their families’ tables,” he said.
Experiences of Rural Brazil
This year, the Ministry of Tourism, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply (MAPA) and the Federal Fluminense University (UFF), established the project “Experiences of Rural Brazil.” The initiative aims to boost tourism in rural areas, including agri-food chains such as cheese, through the promotion and commercialization of products, services, and destinations from family agriculture. Currently, the project is in the training phase of the routes.
The Terroir Vertentes Cheese Route in Minas Gerais is one of the routes included in the project. Officially created in 2018, the circuit traverses municipalities that are part of the Inconfidentes Trail, such as São João del-Rei, Barbacena, and Tiradentes. Visitors can experience the entire routine of farmers who produce the delicacy, coming into contact with the traditions and techniques used, and, best of all, the opportunity to taste the samples of Queijo Minas Artesanal, Queijo Reino, and fine cheeses.
Gastronomy
The Brazilian seasoning has become popular among international tourists who have visited the country in recent years. This is indicated by the International Tourist Demand survey conducted by the Ministry of Tourism, through the Foundation Institute of Economic Research (Fipe). The survey reveals that foreign visitors highly praised the cuisine from all corners of Brazil. The flavors of Mato Grosso do Sul, for example, received a score of 8.8, the highest among the Federative Units.
Source: www.gov.br