The Oldest Cheese in Portugal
History of Flávio Gomes - Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Serra da Estrela PDO Cheese is the oldest cheese in Portugal, originating in the Serra da Estrela region. This cheese is made with raw milk from sheep of the Bordaleira da Serra da Estrela or Churra Mondegueira breeds. It is known for its creamy texture and buttery spread. There are two varieties: one with a semi-soft texture and yellowish white color (Queijo Serra da Estrela) and the other with a semi-hard to extra-hard texture and a brownish-orange color (Queijo Serra da Estrela Velho). Its history dates back to Roman times and was mentioned in the works of poet Gil Vicente in the Middle Ages. In 1287, King Dom Diniz established the first cheese factory in Celorico da Beira, in the Serra da Estrela region, becoming a nutritious and lasting food source for explorers. In 1885, the cheese arrived in Lisbon and Porto, increasing its popularity.
