Requeijão

Requeijão is a cherished dairy product enjoyed in both Portugal and Brazil, though each country offers its distinct variation.

In Portugal, requeijão is a semi-solid cheese ranging from white to yellowish-white in color, renowned for its robust flavor. It is typically sold in plastic or basket-like containers that facilitate draining. Conversely, Brazilian requeijão resembles a creamy cheese with a subtler taste and comes in various consistencies. It holds particular popularity in the state of Minas Gerais. The most famous type in Brazil is requeijão cremoso, which has a texture akin to condensed milk and is usually packaged in glass or plastic jars.

The production process for requeijão involves curdling skim milk with lactic acid bacteria, draining the whey, pressing the curd, and then heating it multiple times while adding skim milk, salt, and either butterfat or cream. The final product generally contains 55–70% water, 8–20% fat, and 16–20.5% protein.

In Brazil, requeijão is a staple ingredient in a multitude of dishes, including the Romeu-e-Julieta dessert, adapted pizzas, crêpes, waffles, pancake rolls, and spring rolls. The Portuguese variety, particularly Requeijão da Serra da Estrela from the Serra da Estrela region, is so exceptional that it was granted PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status in 2005.