Indian Artisanal Cheeses shine in debut at international Cheese and Dairy competition in Brazil, win 4 awards including a Super Gold and 2 Golds

In a landmark achievement for India’s burgeoning artisanal dairy sector, Indian cheeses secured four prestigious medals, including one Super Gold, two Golds, and one Silver, at the 4th Mundial do Queijo do Brasil (Brazilian Cheese World Cup) 2026. This marked India’s debut participation in the event held from April 16 to 19 in São Paulo, one of Latin America’s largest and most respected cheese competitions.

The competition featured over 2,700 cheese and dairy product entries from 30 countries, evaluated anonymously by approximately 350 international and Brazilian expert judges. Cheeses were judged in two stages on criteria including appearance, texture, aroma, and flavour, with medals awarded in tiers: Super Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

Top Super Gold entries advanced to a final round to determine the overall champions. Alongside the main contest, the event included awards for the best Brazilian cheesemaker (queijeiro) and cheesemonger (queijista), innovation categories, a public fair with over 100 producers, workshops, and networking sessions. Organisers projected significant business opportunities, with tens of thousands of visitors attending the fair at Teatro B32 and Praça da Baleia.

India’s wins were celebrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media and highlighted by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). Three of the four medals were won by Mausam Narang, while the other one went to Thenlay Nurboo. The medal-winning entries were:

  • Super Gold: Eleftheria Gulmarg (Brie-style cheese) produced by Mausam Narang of Eleftheria Cheese, Mumbai.
  • Gold: Eleftheria Brunost (whey cheese) also by Mausam Narang of Eleftheria Cheese, Mumbai.
  • Gold: Yak Churpi-Soft produced by Thenlay Nurboo of Nordic Farm, Leh, Ladakh.
  • Silver: Eleftheria Kaali Miri (Belper Knolle style) by Mausam Narang of Eleftheria Cheese, Mumbai.

These victories underscore the innovation in Indian artisanal cheeses, blending traditional regional elements, such as yak milk from the high altitudes of Ladakh and creative whey-based or spiced varieties, with international styles. The Indian delegation, which included representatives from NDDB, Mother Dairy, GCMMF (Amul), and other producers, also showcased a diverse range of products like Gir cow ghee, camel milk items, and additional cheese varieties during a special tasting session for judges. The pavilion drew significant attention from visitors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Indian cheesemakers on their notable achievement at the Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026. He posted on X, “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. Four Indian products won medals, including 1 Super Gold, 2 Golds and 1 Silver.”

The NDDB congratulated the Indian winners, stating that the achievement “highlights the growing global recognition of India’s artisanal and indigenous cheese varieties.” The board stated, “The Indian delegation exemplified outstanding teamwork, with each member contributing their best efforts and commitment—resulting in a proud moment for the country on the global dairy stage.”

Producers like Mausam Narang and Thenlay Nurboo expressed pride in putting Indian flavours on the international map.

Brazilian producers dominated the top honours overall. Brazilian cheeses claimed the title of best cheese in the world at the event, with strong performances from regions like Ceará, Santa Catarina, and Minas Gerais. Entries such as Queijo de Coalho and other local specialties earned Super Gold medals, and Brazilian cheeses swept the top three positions as well as the best cheese made by a woman category.

The 4th Mundial do Queijo do Brasil has solidified its role as a key platform for both showcasing Brazilian excellence and welcoming international talent, fostering cross-cultural appreciation in the global cheese community. Full results are available on the official event website.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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