Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently took to social media to praise Indian artisanal cheesemakers for their remarkable achievements at the Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026, an international cheese competition held in Sao Paulo. In a post on X, Modi highlighted that four Indian cheese products won medals, including one Super Gold, two Golds, and one Silver. The post garnered over 17.8 million views in less than 24 hours, reflecting widespread interest in India's growing presence in the global dairy sector.
India's Debut at the Mundial do Queijo
The competition saw participation from over 30 countries, with entries judged by a panel of 350 international experts. Modi's post read, "Cheese from India makes its mark globally… India made an impressive debut at the Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026, which is a vibrant international competition for cheese and dairy products." He further noted that such successes strengthen India's artisanal dairy sector on the world stage. Modi also congratulated Mausam Narang and Thenlay Nurboo, who have been instrumental in bringing Indian artisanal cheese to global attention.
The Winning Cheeses
The Super Gold medal was awarded to Eleftheria Gulmarg, a Brie-style cheese from a Mumbai-based artisanal cheese company. Made from cow milk and aged for 2-3 weeks, this French-style Brie features a snowy, velvety rind with an indulgent, buttery texture and a balanced earthy, mushroomy flavor profile. It pairs well with hot honey, candied pistachios, fig or berry jam, and sparkling white wine.
The Gold medals were won by Yak Churpi-Sof from Nordic Farm in Leh, Ladakh, and Eleftheria Brunost. Yak Churpi-Sof is made from fresh yak milk and is one of the most traditional cheeses from the Himalayan region, particularly in Ladakh. It is dense, slightly tangy, and often prepared through sun-drying or fermentation. Brunost, a whey cheese made from leftover cheesemaking whey, has a sweet, caramel-like flavor and a fudge-like consistency due to the caramelization of milk sugars.
The Silver medal was won by Eleftheria Kaali Miri, a Belper Knolle-style cheese aged for 1-2 months. Known for its creamy and peppery taste, this cheese is crumbly, flavorful, and coated in black pepper. It is typically grated over dishes like a spice rather than eaten in large chunks.
Health Benefits of Artisanal Cheese
According to experts, artisan-made cheeses are usually free from excess preservatives, often use good-quality milk, and follow traditional fermentation methods, making them beneficial for human health. However, even such cheese should be consumed in moderation. The recognition at the international competition highlights the potential of Indian artisanal dairy products to compete globally.
