Essex Mandala from Brazil
A striking new tropical cheese, first time in the USA. Mandala is a raw milk farmstead cheese made in Sao Paolo, Brazil by Vanessa Alcoléa. The herd of cows, bred as a unique cross between Indian Gir Zebu and classic Jerseys, graze on the third generation family farm of Bento Mineiro. The cheese recipe is inspired by European Alpine cheeses and the 25 pounds wheels are aged for just under a year on pine. Essex has hand selected batches that feature some flavors you’ll recognize in an aged mountain cheese, plus new ones, like pineapple and cocoa. First brought to the USA by Essex in June 2025, available in very limited quantities.
Girsey
The Gir Zebu cow was bred in India and can handle tropical heat, just like that found in Sao Paolo. Bento and his family cross bred Gir with Jerseys, renowned for their milk.
Mandala details
Chesese maker Vanessa Alcoléa
Selection Jason Hinds
Raw cow’s milk
Farmstead
Cow breed Girrsey (Gir zebu + Jersey)
Wheels sold as 20-25 lbs