[1] It comes in three varieties, named queijos-de-minas frescal (fresh),[2] meia-cura (half-aged) and curado (aged).

A fourth variety, branded queijo padrão ("standard" cheese) has been developed more recently and can be found in nearly all supermarkets and grocery stores in Brazil.

Frescal cheese (as the name implies) is served quite fresh, about 4–10 days after preparation, still white and tender.

Good curado cheese must have a white core, punctured with tiny bubbles of air, slightly more granulated than frescal and with a stronger taste, tending to bitter.

Frescal cheese also pairs well with other forms of fruit preserve or Doce de Leite.