The 12th edition of the National Competition of Traditional Portuguese Long-Matured Cheeses distinguishes the essence and quality of LactAçores' Prato Curado Ilha Azul, Capelinhos and São Jorge DOP cheeses.

The Ilha Azul Prato, Capelinhos and São Jorge cheeses from LactAçores have just been awarded in the 12th National Competition of Traditional Portuguese Cheese for Prolonged Matured, organised by CNEMA and Qualifica. The distinction of the Prato Curado Ilha Azul cheese with a gold medal, and the Capelinhos and São Jorge cheeses DOP 24 and 36 months with silver medals, are the result of blind tastings of various samples, representing various regions of Portugal.

Originating from the island of Faial and produced by the CALF co-operative, the Prato Curado Ilha Azul cheese, made from pasteurised cow's milk, is a very tasty semi-hard cured cheese. The Capelinhos cheese, also from the CALF cooperative, is a semi-hard cured cheese, made with pasteurised cow's milk and with 4 months of minimum ageing.

The São Jorge DOP cheese, recognised nationally and internationally, has been produced exclusively on São Jorge Island since its discovery in the mid-15th century. Made from raw cow's milk, rennet and salt, this cheese has a strong aroma and a slightly spicy taste. The minimum maturation period is 3 months and the maximum is 36 months, with a fat content of 36%.
The distinctive characteristics of Queijo São Jorge PDO result from the unique climatic conditions of this island, which give rise to pastures of various crops, resulting in a cheese of excellence.

"These awards are living proof of the result of a continuous work of struggle, persistence and pride of our people, collaborators and small producers, in elevating and making known the unique quality of our cheeses, created with the best raw material that the nature of the Azores has to offer our country, and beyond our borders," says Pedro Tavares, president of LactAçores. "This achievement also demonstrates the strong investment in the development of cheese from the islands of Faial and São Jorge, contributing to the economic growth of the Azores archipelago.