João Rodrigues, founder Projecto Matéria
"The greatest wealth of any people or culture is people
Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo is known for its clams, which are very popular on the island of São Jorge. However, these bivalves can only be caught by two men, in a maximum of 50 kilos per month. The point? Preserve the species.
We are at Herdade dos Tomazes on the outskirts of Alandroal. For the 8000ha of hills as far as the eye can see, strolling serpentina goats, cows of various breeds, and even sows. Each animal has a specific function: cows graze and promote the renewal of herbs, pigs revolve the soil and goats clean everything.
Our focus are the producers that are passionately committed with what they do. They are the keepers of the land, well fare and knowledge. They are the ones who will make all of this endure through time.
Founded in August 2014, previously in Chiado and, since May 2013, in Príncipe Real, this space surpasses the broad concept of the store. It is, above all, a showcase of cheese resulting from Pedro Cardoso's continuous search for cheeses that are best made, either inside or outside the country.
When we enter the gates of this land, currently owned by the Regional Government, this former philosophy professor, first president of the local Parish Council, is bent over some yams that he harvested moments before.