Coalho
Coalho is a firm, lightweight cheese from Northeastern Brazil that squeaks when you bite it, the way fresh cheese curds do. Most people meet it grilled on a stick at the beach.
Key Facts
| Country of Origin | Brazil |
| Specific Origin | Northeastern Brazil |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Rind | Natural |
| Texture | Semi-hard |
| Flavor | Acidic, salty |
| Aroma | Fresh |
| Colors | Yellow |
| Alternative Spellings | queijo-de-coalho |
| Also Known As | Queijo coalho, Queijo de coalho , Rennet Cheese |
What is Coalho Cheese?
Queijo coalho comes from Northeastern Brazil. The name means curd cheese in Portuguese, and it is also written queijo-de-coalho.
The body is firm but light. Bite into a piece and it squeaks, a trait it shares with fresh cheese curds.
Along the beaches of Brazil's northeast, vendors grill it and sell it as a cheap snack. It turns up at home too, cooked over charcoal as part of churrasco.
Grilling leaves the surface golden with a slightly burnt edge. It is usually eaten straight off a stick, kebab style, with oregano or garlic sauce.
How Does Coalho Cheese Compare?
The most relevant cheeses to compare Coalho against.
