You Ways to Make Artesanal Minas Cheese were recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO this Wednesday (4). This is the first product of Brazilian food culture to have the title approved by the United Nations (UN) agency.
The candidacy process took place over a period of two years, with the result of the decision announced during the 19th Session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee, in Asunción, Paraguay.
Now, the artisanal production of Minas Cheese It is on the Representative List of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
There are six other national intangible heritage sites on the UNESCO list. They are:
- Bumba Meu Boi Cultural Complex in Maranhão
- Capoeira Wheel
- Candle of Our Lady of Nazareth
- Frevo: artistic expression of Recife Carnival
- Samba de Roda from Recôncavo Bahia
- Kusiwa Art – Body Painting and Wajãpi Graphic Art
Minas Artisanal Cheese
The Minas Artesanal Cheese Making Ways had already been recognized as an intangible heritage of the state of Minas Gerais in 2002, with the title at national level validated in 2008.
According to the state government, the Minas Artesanal Cheese is made from raw cow’s milk without pasteurization, and follows traditional production processes, on small properties.
To be a Minas Artesanal Cheese, the milk must be produced on the property where the cheese originates, where pingo (natural yeast), rennet and dry salting are also used. After the maturation process, the food acquires a smooth, yellowish skin.
According to the Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Company (Emater-MG), the delicacy is produced throughout the state, but they are distinguished 10 microregions characterized as producing Minas Artesanal Cheese .
They are: Serro, Serra do Salitre, Araxá, Campos das Vertentes, Canastra, Cerrado, Diamantina, Entre Serras: from Piedade to Caraça, Serras de Ibitipoca and Triângulo Mineiro.
Throughout the state, there are more than 8,800 establishments dedicated to the production of different types of artisanal cheeses.
Intangible Heritage
Minas Artesanal Cheese is a symbol of Minas Gerais’ cultural identity, representing a tradition of more than 200 years that contributes to the economic and social development of the state, a description that is echoed by the State Secretariat of Culture and Tourism of Minas Gerais (Secult).
Intangible Cultural Heritage encompasses practices, customs, knowledge and expressions that are transmitted from generation to generation and that are part of the identity of a people, which includes everything from festivals and rituals to knowledge, such as artisanal production.
AM cheeses are recognized with geographical indication registration
The post Minas Artesanal Cheese Production becomes intangible heritage by UNESCO appeared first on CNN Brasil V&G.
Source: CNN Brasil
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