Portugal's Cheese Triumph
The buttery sheep cheese from Queijaria Quinta do Pomar in Soalheira, Fundão, has been crowned the best cheese in the world at the World Cheese Awards 2024, competing against 4,786 cheeses from 47 countries. This incredible recognition has led to an immediate sell-out of the award-winning product.
"The phone calls haven't stopped. It's been pandemonium, in a good way," shared Joaquim Duarte Alves, the founder of Quinta do Pomar, who has recently stepped back and passed the reins to his son, Nuno, and daughter-in-law, Sonia.
Joaquim, 73, noted that the award is already impacting demand. The award-winning batch sold out immediately, and with so many orders pouring in, he fears there won't be enough milk to meet the demand until Christmas.
"We are receiving orders from people wanting to export to the United States, France, and various countries. Cheese doesn't make itself overnight; it takes 45 days to cure," he emphasized.
About the Award-Winning Cheese
The celebrated cheese is a buttery Serra-type cheese made from raw sheep's milk, curdled with thistle flower, and is sold for approximately €13.
Joaquim stressed that the key to great cheese production is high-quality raw materials, sourcing milk from local producers within a 10 to 15-kilometer radius of the Gardunha mountains. He also highlighted the importance of proper card cleaning and seasoning, ensuring the right balance of ingredients.
After 40 to 45 days of curing in a dark chamber, with careful temperature management, the cheese emerges ready for sale. Joaquim, son of a cheesemaker from Soalheira, has deep roots in the cheese-making tradition, which includes the annual Cheese Fair organized by the Fundão Municipality.
Founded in 1983 with his wife, Maria José, the business has grown significantly, moving to a new facility in the Soalheira Industrial Park in 2015, where production capacity has doubled. With an annual turnover of €1 million, the cheesery employs 12 workers, producing between 400 to 500 cheeses daily, with 150 to 200 being the buttery sheep variety.
Joaquim remarked that while the award-winning cheese, which has previously won three medals in international competitions, is not their best-seller, the traditional sheep and goat mix is.
"This award is not just ours; it belongs to Soalheira, Fundão, the local milk producers, and Portugal," he stated, acknowledging the widespread recognition following the award announcement.
Surprised by their success, Joaquim expressed pride in receiving the highest honor in the cheese industry, likening it to the Oscars of the sector.
Image Credit: Facebook / Queijo Tradicional Quinta do Pomar
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