Who doesn't like goat cheese? The edition is here 2022 full Agricultural, Livestock and Fishing Fair of Fuerteventura. A total of 123 cheeses from the Canary Islands, Extremadura, Murcia, Andalusia, Madrid and La Rioja participate in the XVIII National Contest of Goat's Milk Cheeses-Tabefe Awards. Find out with us!
Goat cheese is the thing
As usual, everyone likes cheese, and any excuse to award prizes to this succulent delicacy is always welcome. This week has been the XVIII National Contest of Goat's Milk Cheeses-Tabefe Awards. A jury made up of 15 tasters professionals have judged a selection of Spanish goat cheese.
The judges were received by the president of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura Sergio Lloret López, the vice president Lola García and the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries David de Vera. These tasters were in charge of select Winners of the different categories. These categories are divided between cheeses made with pasteurized milk, raw milk and according to the maturation period.
After trying the more than 123 cheeses that had been nominated for the contest, the jury has decided to reward two dairies belonging to the Palm Breed Goat Breeders Association.
The winners of the contest
In the category of Soft cheese, the first prize went to the cheeses from The Lameras of Villa Mazo. On the other hand, in the category of Cured Cheese, the winners have been the cheeses from awara moon, de Villa de Garafia. Both have been congratulated by the Palm Breed Goat Breeders Association. Also both come from The Palm.
The words of the jury after the awards ceremony have highlighted the importance of natural craft products for Spanish Gastronomy: "Behind each native breed there is a world: a story, a family, a link to the territory, passion, work and a lot of effort. There is also a landscape, a territory full of biodiversity, an artisan product of high environmental value and quality, and a whole network of know-how that is transmitted from generation to generation”.
The gala ended with the awards ceremony for the winners of each category and a closing ceremony that brought together the participants of the contest to end this year's meeting.
But where does this cheese come from?
And since we have talked so much about goat cheese, how about we go over its origin a bit? Unlike other traditional cheeses, that of goat dates back to the year 7000 BC. Surely its origin is associated with the abandonment of nomadic life and the proliferation of livestock.
But why with goat's milk? Well, the answer to this question is quite simple. The goat is one of the animals that have accompanied to humans since ancient times. It is not surprising that we have been able to take advantage of each of the means that it has been offering us throughout history.
Meat, milk, skin, bones, hair… If we stop to think about it, it was only a matter of time before goat milk was used to make cheese. Probably even the first cheese of history was made based on their milk.
The Goat Cheese Fair
In Fuerteventura they are delighted to have the first goat cheese to receive the denomination of origin in Spain. The Majorero cheese It has become a national benchmark. Its relevance has brought together more than 120 cheeses from all corners of Spain.
The fair also brought together many tasters who travel to the island to compare the flavors of the different regional varieties and increase the recognition of the products that encompass the Canary Islands at a national level.
The products have evolved over the years, as well as the event itself, which began with cheeses from the Canary archipelago, and thanks to its success, has ended up being a meeting point common for many ranchers who seek to make their product known nationally. What is your favorite goat cheese?
