Brazilian Students Develop Cheese in National Colors for Minas Láctea

A group of students from the Instituto de Laticínios Cândido Tostes in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, have developed a unique cheese that features the colors of the Brazilian flag—green, yellow, and blue—using natural ingredients. This creation was inspired by the ongoing World Cup and will be presented at the Minas Láctea event.

The cheese was created as part of a classroom project by students in the dairy technology course. The colors were achieved without artificial colorants: yellow from passion fruit, green from pesto sauce, and blue from clitoria flower powder. The project aimed to not only reflect the national colors but also to provide a balanced flavor experience.

The initiative began at the start of the academic semester, with students encouraged to innovate with cheese-making. The timing of the World Cup and the Minas Láctea event provided the perfect opportunity for this project. However, the cheese did not meet visual expectations on the first attempt, requiring multiple trials to perfect the appearance.

According to Professor Denise Sobral, the cheese is still maturing, which means the flavors are evolving, and the rind is still forming. The final product is expected to be ready in time for the Minas Láctea event, scheduled for July 14-16, coinciding with the World Cup final week.

Despite attracting interest, the cheese will not be commercially available. It was developed as a classroom exercise and will be available for tasting only during the event. Commercial sale would require labeling and compliance with legal requirements.