Why did Prime Minister Narendra Modi praise Indian cheese in a social media post

When it comes to the Indian cheese market, it is often limited to paneer. But did you know there are many other varieties native to India that recently made the nation proud at Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026? In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India's big win, which garnered over 17.8 million views in less than 24 hours. Scroll down to read the details.

In his post, PM Modi highlighted how Indian artisanal cheesemakers are quietly but confidently stepping onto the world stage. His post reads, "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 prestigious competition was held in Sao Paulo and saw participation from over 30 countries. The entries were judged by a panel of 350 international experts. According to PM Modi's post, "Such successes strengthen India’s artisanal dairy sector on the world stage." He also congratulated Mausam Narang and Thenlay Nurboo in his post, who have been instrumental in bringing Indian artisanal cheese to global attention.

The Super Gold was won by Eleftheria Gulmarg, a Brie-style cheese from a Mumbai-based artisanal cheese company. The cheese is made with cow milk and aged for 2-3 weeks. According to their website, this French Style Brie has a stunning snowy, velvety rind with an indulgent, buttery texture & a balanced earthy, mushroomy flavor profile. ‘Gulmarg’ pairs like a dream with hot honey, candied pistachios, fig or Berry Jam and a glass of sparkling white wine.

The Golds were won by Yak Churpi-Sof from Nordic Farm, Leh, Ladakh, which is made from fresh yak milk and Eleftheria Brunost, a whey cheese made from leftover cheesemaking whey. Yak Churpi is one of the most traditional cheeses from the Himalayan region, especially in Ladakh and nearby high-altitude communities. It is dense, slightly tangy, and often prepared through sun-drying or fermentation. And Brunost, which is made from concentrated whey, has a sweet, caramel-like flavour and a fudge-like consistency due to the caramelisation of milk sugars.

The Silver was won by Eleftheria Kaali Miri, a Belper Knolle-style cheese, which is aged for 1-2 months and is known for its creamy and peppery taste. This cheese is crumbly, flavourful, and coated in black pepper; it is grated over dishes like a spice rather than eaten in large chunks.

According to experts, artisan-made cheeses are usually free from excess preservatives, often use good-quality milk, and follow traditional fermentation methods, which makes them good for human health. Also, it is important to note that even such cheese should be consumed in moderation.

Images Courtesy: istock