This is a classic case of a brand that became synonymous with the product. Founded by an Italian immigrant in 1911, in Minas Gerais, the company Laticínios Catupiry came up with this creamy cheese recipe, which remains a secret to this day. Over time, the product became very popular, so other vendors began to sell their own “versions” of catupiry, and the name stuck. Catupiry can be used as any other cream cheese, and it seems to go well particularly with chicken or carne seca in fillings for pastries, pizzas, fritters and a special version of the traditional Coxinha (mock chicken drumstick fritter), sold in botecos and cafeterias all over Brazil.