Ladakh’s traditional yak churpi cheese wins gold at international competition

A traditional cheese made from yak milk in the high-altitude villages of Ladakh has found international recognition. Yak Churpi, made for generations by pastoral communities, won a gold medal at the Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026 in São Paulo, Brazil. The award brought attention to a cheese that is still difficult to find outside Ladakh. The gold-winning sample was made by Thenlay Nurboo. According to the official website of the Prime Minister’s Office, Yak Churpi-Soft from Nordic Farm, Leh, Ladakh was among the Indian products that won gold at the international cheese competition.What is Churpi?Churpi, also called Churpe or Chura in parts of the region, is a traditional cheese made from milk. In Ladakh, the most valued version is made from yak milk. It has been part of the food habits of nomadic communities for generations.