Flor de Guía cheese

Flor de Guía cheese is a delightful Spanish cheese originating from Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. It enjoys Denomination of Origin protection, which attests to its quality and authenticity. This cheese is a blend of milk from Canarian sheep, cows, and goats, each contributing a specific percentage to the mixture. Shaped into flat cylinders, it derives its name from Santa María de Guía, a town in Gran Canaria, and the distinctive use of flower juice in the curdling process.

There are three main varieties of this cheese: "Flor de Guía" "Media Flor de Guía" and "Queso de Guía." These varieties differ in their coagulation methods and the duration of their maturation. The cheese-making process is confined to specific municipalities and is seasonal, running only from January to July. The animals providing the milk are raised under stringent guidelines within the designated geographical area, ensuring the highest standards are maintained.

Flor de Guía cheese has a distinctive dairy flavor with a hint of saltiness. Its texture can range from firm to soft, depending on the length of aging. The cheese's color evolves from ivory-white to yellow as it matures. The rind also changes with age, appearing dark brown in long-matured cheeses and varying from ivory-white to cream in younger cheeses. The thickness of the rind also varies with maturation.