A Taste of Minas Gerais

The Origins of Pão de Queijo

Pão de queijo originated in 18th century Minas Gerais, Brazil, created by enslaved African cooks who mixed cassava starch with milk and eggs. The signature cheese was added in the late 1800s when dairy farms expanded after the decline of gold mining in the region.

This gluten-free cheese bread represents the fusion of Indigenous, African, and Portuguese culinary traditions. It remained a regional specialty until the 1960s, when it spread to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, eventually becoming Brazil's most beloved snack.

Minas Gerais: Brazil's Coffee Heartland

Minas Gerais is Brazil's largest coffee-producing state. The Sul de Minas (South Minas Gerais) region, which includes Três Pontas, Varginha, and Guaxupé, is the world's largest contiguous coffee-growing area with 500,000 hectares under cultivation.

The traditional Brazilian coffee ritual, called "cafezinho," emerged during the coffee boom of the 1800s. It's a small, strong coffee served as a symbol of hospitality, offered freely to guests in homes and businesses throughout Brazil.

Where is Três Pontas?

Três Pontas is located in the Sul de Minas region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This area is known as the world's largest coffee-growing region, with 500,000 hectares under cultivation.

Background Music

We'll be playing Brazilian music to set the mood. Here's what you might hear: