Piranguinho (MG) has kept the pé de moleque tradition alive for over 90 years Recognized as an intangible heritage of Minas Gerais, pé de moleque from Piranguinho (MG) has been produced for over 90 years and has gone through the city's transformations without losing the essence of the artisanal recipe. A sweet symbol of the municipality, it left the old railway station, arrived on the internet, supports around 700 jobs and involves 13 local manufacturers, according to city hall data. 📲 Follow the g1 Sul de Minas page on Instagram Traditionally made with peanuts and rapadura, the sweet passed down from generation to generation and became the city's main tourist attraction and one of the pillars of the local economy, finding new ways to grow without abandoning tradition. "The challenges for the future are different from those faced at the beginning of production, in 1936, but the essence remains the same: preserving our history without ceasing to evolve. The demand for the sweet grew, new markets were conquered and the city developed. The challenge is to meet this demand without losing the quality and tradition that span generations", says Sônia Torino, owner of Barraca Vermelha, one of the most traditional in the city. Pé de moleque grows, modernizes and preserves a tradition of over 90 years in Piranguinho Paloma Simonetti For decades, the train station was the main point of sale for sweets in Piranguinho. With the end of passenger transport in the 1970s, producers migrated to the sides of the highway. The colorful stalls have become a postcard of the city and an almost obligatory stop for anyone traveling through the region. Resident of Lavras, Fabiano Maia, aged 80, has been in the habit of buying the product for around 20 years. He remembers that he met the sweet when the road was not yet paved. "It was love at first bite. Since then, I've maintained this habit. Now, when I order, I have to share it with my children and grandchildren. And, when I can't go, I always ask someone who goes in that direction to buy it for me", he says. Pé de moleque grows, modernizes and preserves a tradition of over 90 years in Piranguinho Paloma Simonetti Tradition that reinvents itself: technology as an ally The internet and technology played a decisive role in the expansion of pé de moleque beyond the stalls on the sides of the highway. At Barraca Amarela, modernization allowed expanding markets without giving up traditional recipes. "Without a doubt. The internet and technology were fundamental to our growth", says Ana Paula da Silva, daughter of Seu Zezinho, founder of Barraca Amarela. According to her, the use of social networks, website and digital channels makes it possible to present the company's products, history and day-to-day activities to customers from different regions of Brazil. “This brings customers closer and allows them to follow everything that happens in real time.” In addition to advertising, technology has also transformed business management. The company started to work with integrated systems, sales applications and management software that made processes more agile and efficient. Pé de moleque grows, modernizes and preserves a tradition of more than 90 years in a city in Minas Gerais Disclosure "Today, distributors place orders directly through the application. This information is already entered into the system, feeding stock control, production scheduling and logistical planning, which guarantees faster service", he explains. Adapting to new times took the kids' movement beyond the tents. Today, the sweet is sold online and reaches different regions of the country. In Campo Grande (MS), businesswoman Karina Beltrão sells the product from the red tent in a café. "Many people didn't know about pé de moleque and end up falling in love with it when they try it. Others remember the trips they took to Piranguinho to buy the sweet", he says. Between growth and tradition For producers, expanding production and conquering new markets poses a permanent challenge: growing without losing the character of a sweet that has become a symbol of the city. At Barraca Vermelha, the mission is to keep the identity built over decades alive. “We live in a world that is changing faster and faster, and our challenge is to keep the Barraca Vermelha tradition alive, taking our products to new generations, new markets and new consumers, without losing what brought us here: quality, respect for people and love for what we do”, says Sônia. Pé de moleque grows, modernizes and preserves a tradition of more than 90 years in a city in Minas Gerais Paloma Simonetti At Barraca Amarela, founded by the family of José do Carmo Silva, known as Seu Zezinho, the strategy has been to grow with organization, without changing the basis of the production process. The company employs around 117 people and uses technology in management and distribution, but preserves the traditional recipe and artisanal method of preparation. "Maintaining tradition does not mean standing still in time. It means preserving the values ​​and identity of the product even as the company grows and modernizes", summarizes the management. Tourist and economic symbol "Pe de moleque is more than a product. It is a symbol of our people's identity and a source of economic development", says the mayor of Piranguinho, Paulo Renato Germiniani Ribeiro. According to him, bills in progress seek to grant the municipality the titles of Capital of Minas Gerais and National Capital of Pé de Moleque, expanding the recognition of the tradition at the state and national level. In addition to the festival period, the city receives visitors throughout the year. “The flow of tourists increases the demand for hotels, restaurants, commerce and services, strengthening the local economy”, says Erika, municipal secretary of Tourism. Statue commemorates 100 years of Pé de Moleque in Piranguinho Paloma Simonetti From Divinópolis, hairdresser Daniele Azevedo Campos met Piranguinho by chance during a trip. It was her first time in the city. "Since the Industrial Revolution, part of the workforce has been replaced by machines. But we can see that the quality and touch of what is done by hand, which is tradition, does not die. More than 90 years have passed and people come from far and wide to look for this traditional sweet from a small town", he says. City resident, Sueli Aparecida Mendonça dos Santos, 75 years old, followed the growth of the activity. "The city grew, more jobs emerged and tourism became stronger. A lot has changed, but the tradition has not weakened. On the contrary, it seems to have become even more valued. People continue to come after what made Piranguinho known." The tradition is also fueled by stories about the origins of the sweet. Seller Fabiana Noronha recalls one of the best-known versions. "They say that the children tried to pick up the pieces that were cooling in the windows of the houses. Then someone shouted: 'don't take it, kid', and the name ended up sticking." According to her, even with the changes, the way of doing things continues to be valued. "It may have evolved, but the craftsmanship and care remain. Before, people came to the city; today, it's the sweets that come to them." Dona Sueli Aparecida sitting in the background with the statue and hairdresser Daniela buying sweets for the first time Paloma Simonetti Kid's foot party In addition to valuing a tradition that is part of Piranguinho's cultural identity, the Festa do Maior Pé de Moleque do Mundo plays a fundamental role in the local economy and in strengthening tourism. The event attracts visitors from several cities in the region and other states, bringing together hotels, bars, restaurants and commerce in general, in addition to promoting the municipality nationally as a reference in the production of typical sweets. 19th Festival of the Biggest Pé de Moleque in the World Service: 📅 When: June 12th to 14th 📍 Where: Luiz Vieira Neto Municipal Park, in Piranguinho (MG) 🎟️ Free entry 🎶 Attractions: live shows and cultural programming Programming: Saturday – 13/06 5:00 pm – Pre-Game Pagode Show with Grupo Vivência 7:00 pm – Broadcast of the Brazil Game on Telão 8:00 pm – Presentation of the municipality’s schools 8:45 pm – Making the World’s Largest Pé de Moleque 23:00 – Show with the duo Zé Ricardo & Thiago 01h00 – Show with the duo Os Lucas 02:30 – Presentation by DJ Rodrigo Barbosa Sunday – 14/06 09:00 – Camp Mass 10:30 am – Violeiros Meeting 2pm – Schools Parade 4pm – Show with Orquestra Mineira Extremamente Caipira 6pm – Samba with the Confraria do Chapéu Group See more news from the region on g1 Sul de Minas