Minas cheese facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Minas Cheese |
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| Country of origin | Brazil |
| Region | Minas Gerais |
| Source of milk | Cow |
| Texture | semi-soft |
| Fat content | Depends on variety |
| Aging time | Depends on variety |
| Certification | No |
Minas cheese is a special kind of cheese from Brazil. It gets its name from the state of Minas Gerais, where it has been made for a very long time. In Portuguese, its name means "cheese from Minas." This cheese is very popular in Brazil.
Minas cheese is made from cow's milk. It used to be aged naturally in the open air. Sometimes, it was dried over a cooker using heat.
Contents
What Are the Types of Minas Cheese?
Minas cheese comes in different types. Each type has its own special taste and texture. There are three main traditional kinds:
- Frescal (fresh cheese)
- Meia-cura (half-aged cheese)
- Curado (aged cheese)
A newer type called queijo padrão (standard cheese) is also very common. You can find it in most Brazilian supermarkets. It is similar to frescal cheese but is usually less juicy, soft, and mild. It also tends to be less salty.
Frescal Cheese: Fresh and Soft
Frescal cheese is served very fresh. It is usually eaten about 4 to 10 days after it is made. It is still white and very tender. Good frescal cheese should be juicy and soft. It often has a slightly grainy texture, not rubbery. Its taste is mild, but the saltiness can be different depending on who makes it.
How to Enjoy Frescal Cheese
Frescal cheese is not usually used for cooking by itself. However, it can be grilled with sauces like soy sauce. It becomes a bit rubbery when heated. This cheese is great for making sandwiches, pastries, and crêpes. It also tastes good with turkey breast or other low-fat cold cuts. You can also pair it with cooked onions, tomatoes, salad rocket, or cooked spinach.
Curado Cheese: Aged and Flavorful
Curado cheese is ready to eat when it has lost most of its moisture. It becomes solid and gets a yellowish color. Good curado cheese has a white center with tiny air bubbles. It is a bit more grainy than frescal cheese. It has a stronger taste, which can sometimes be a little bitter.
Cooking with Curado Cheese
Curado cheese is excellent for cooking. It is used in many different Brazilian dishes. Two famous examples are:
- Pastel de queijo: a type of fried pastry filled with cheese.
- Pão de queijo: a popular Brazilian cheese bun.
Sweet Pairings with Minas Cheese
Frescal cheese is often eaten with goiabada. This is a sweet product made from guava fruit. It is similar to quince cheese. When you combine frescal cheese and goiabada, it is called romeu-e-julieta (Romeo and Juliet). This combination can be eaten as a simple snack. It is also used in many desserts like cakes, pies, or ice cream. Frescal cheese also tastes great with other fruit preserves or Doce de Leite.
Images for kids
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Frescal cheese is white and soft.
See also
In Spanish: Queijo Minas Frescal para niños
