Sítio Balbinot Wins Three Medals at Prêmio Queijo Brasil

Sítio Balbinot, located in Santa Catarina, Brazil, has achieved significant recognition at the Prêmio Queijo Brasil by winning three national medals. The gold medal was awarded to their Nona Irma cheese, a product that honors the family matriarch and undergoes about 60 days of maturation. This cheese belongs to the colonial cheese category.

The silver medal went to Doce de Leite Tia Bete, which is named after Aline Balbinot's mother. This sweet is traditionally prepared on a wood stove, and to maintain its artisanal quality on an industrial scale, the family developed a custom equipment that mimics the slow manual cooking process without using additives like starch.

The bronze medal was claimed by the Xodó cheese, an original creation by Ulian de Valle. This colonial cheese is made from raw milk and is noted for its creaminess, making it popular in culinary applications such as pasta, risottos, and burgers.

Sítio Balbinot began formalizing its production in 2010 and has since invested in production improvements. Their participation in competitions started recently in 2022, with their first international award for their sweet milk.

Apart from cheese and sweet production, the property also engages in agritourism and offers a subscription service for product delivery. For the past two years, they have welcomed visitors by appointment and hosted monthly gastronomic events.

In a radio interview, Aline and Ulian invited the community to visit the property and witness the production process that led to their recent achievements.