Queijo São Jorge 7 meses–7month São Jorge Cheese (Azores), a Uniqueijo product, wins Bronze at the World Cheese Awards and reinforces the excellence and authenticity of LactAçores dairy products on the international scene.
LactAçores, comprised of the Unileite, Uniqueijo, and CALF cooperatives, won a Bronze medal at the World Cheese Awards 2024, held in Viseu, with its São Jorge 7-month PDO cheese. This international recognition underlines LactAçores’ aim “to offer excellent artisan cheeses that capture the unique and distinctive flavor of the islands of São Miguel, São Jorge, and Faial.”
Queijo São Jorge DOP is a hard to semi-hard aged cheese with a firm texture and an unmistakable aroma that reflects “the tradition and authenticity of São Jorge Island”. Produced with raw milk from the region, this cheese, matured for at least 7 months, “meets the strict requirements of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), guaranteeing superior quality and a deep link to the territory and its centuries-old practices.”
This cheese, which has just won Bronze at one of the sector’s most important competitions, is joined by two other awards won this year: Gold at the CNEMA – National Cheese Competition and a star at the Great Taste Awards. These distinctions “reinforce its position as one of the greatest representatives of Azorean quality, both nationally and internationally.”


António Aguiar, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Uniqueijo, points out that “receiving this bronze medal is an honor that reflects the dedication, perseverance and hard work of the people of São Jorge, who every day ensure the quality and strict food control parameters of one of the island’s most emblematic products, were it not for Queijo de São Jorge being a PDO cheese.”
LactAçores’ Managing Director, José Carlos Serrão, stressed that “this achievement reflects the dedicated efforts of our team and producers, who work tirelessly to raise the quality of products from the Azores, providing a unique and exceptional experience for all consumers. Further proof that what comes from the Azores is the best.”
The representatives of the other two LactAçores cooperatives, CALF, the Faial cooperative, and Unileite, also spoke about the achievement. Hélder Costa, representing CALF, said, “This event values the work of our producers, who transform the richness of the Azorean pastures into cheeses of excellence. In this way, Uniqueijo’s bronze award results from the hard work and dedication of all LactAçores employees”.
For his part, Vitoriano Falcão, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cooperativa Unileite and LactAçores, stressed that this is “recognition and a tribute to our producers, whose dedication to pastures and excellent milk gives Azorean cheeses their unique character. It is the knowledge of generations and the commitment to quality that allows them to bring consumers a product that reflects the richness and identity of the Azores.”


In addition to being nominated for different cheeses, LactAçores was present at the World Cheese Awards with a stand offering tastings of the cheeses in the competition, including the winner.
This year’s award strengthens the distinguished career of LactAçores cheeses, which at the 2023 World Cheese Awards had already won Gold for Queijo São Jorge DOP 4 Meses and Queijo Velho São Miguel, as well as Silver for Queijo São Jorge DOP 12 Meses.
LactAçores, a benchmark in Azorean dairy products, “both nationally and internationally, combines tradition and sustainability, while maintaining a strong connection to the unique biodiversity of the islands.”
The World Cheese Awards is one of the most prestigious competitions in the dairy sector. It brings together producers, experts, and cheese lovers from all over the world. This year, more than 300 exhibitors attended the event, which included around 4,800 cheese entries.

in Correio dos Açores–Naltalino Viveiros, director

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADE.