Festa da Quitanda and Festival da Goiabada 2014 in Cocais, MG

3rd Festa da Quitanda and 2nd Festival da Goiabada

On May 4 and 5, 2014, the historic district of Cocais, in Barão de Cocais, hosted another edition of the Festa da Quitanda and Festival da Goiabada (quitandas are traditional homemade baked goods; goiabada is guava paste), an event that had already become one of the sweetest traditions of the Serra do Caraça.

Bringing together quitandeiras, sweet makers, local producers and visitors from across the region, the festival celebrated Minas Gerais flavor and hospitality amid the charming setting of the Colonial Village of Cocais.
Visitors could taste typical delicacies such as pão de queijo (cheese bread), angu (cornmeal) pastries, broas, cakes, homemade sweets, cheeses and the famous goiabada cascão, recognized as Intangible Heritage of Barão de Cocais.

The 2014 edition kept the welcoming, community spirit of the event, with workshops, cultural performances and the traditional quitanda contest, which values the work of rural families and of the women who preserve the recipes and know-how of Minas Gerais cooking.

Cocais: tradition and charm in the Serra do Caraça

The Colonial Village of Cocais is one of the most picturesque and well-preserved places in Barão de Cocais. Its cobblestone streets, old mansions and historic churches form a setting that seems to have stopped in time.

Besides its unique architecture, Cocais is known for its culinary and cultural traditions, being the birthplace of the Artisanal Goiabada Cascão, one of the most emblematic products of the Serra do Caraça.
The district is also a starting point for trails, waterfalls and experiences that connect visitors with nature and the essence of inland Minas Gerais.

On every corner and in every recipe, Cocais preserves the flavor of history — and the Festa da Quitanda is living proof that this tradition remains strong and delicious.