Flor de Guía cheese

Flor de Guía cheese is a traditional cheese from the Canary Islands, specifically from the island of Gran Canaria. It is named after the town of Santa María de Guía, where it is primarily produced.

History

The production of Flor de Guía cheese dates back to the 16th century, making it one of the oldest cheeses in the Canary Islands. The cheese is traditionally made by shepherds using a mixture of goat's milk, sheep's milk, and occasionally cow's milk.

Production

The unique characteristic of Flor de Guía cheese is its use of flower rennet, a coagulant derived from the thistle flower (Cynara cardunculus). This gives the cheese its name, as "flor" means flower in Spanish. The use of flower rennet results in a cheese with a soft texture and a distinctive, slightly bitter taste.

The cheese is typically produced in the spring, when the thistle flowers are in bloom. The milk is heated and the flower rennet is added. The mixture is then left to curdle, and the curds are cut and pressed into molds. The cheese is then aged for a minimum of two weeks.

Characteristics

Flor de Guía cheese is a semi-soft cheese with a creamy texture. It has a pale yellow color and a slightly bitter taste due to the flower rennet. The cheese has a strong aroma, which becomes more pronounced as the cheese ages.

Recognition

Flor de Guía cheese has been recognized for its unique characteristics and traditional production methods. It has been awarded the Denomination of Origin status, which protects its name and production methods.

See also

• List of Spanish cheeses
• Canary Islands cuisine