Canary Islands cheeses have achieved an impressive total of 38 medals at the prestigious World Cheese Awards 2023, a premier international competition in the cheese industry. This remarkable feat was accomplished in the 35th edition of the event, where 4,502 cheeses from 43 countries competed in Trondheim, Norway.
Notably, the Canary Islands secured three super gold awards, two golds, 13 silvers, and 20 bronzes in various categories. The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food Sovereignty of the Canary Islands Government, Narvay Quintero, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating that it underscores the quality of the Islands’ cheese production, which has garnered international recognition and serves as a testament to the dedication of local cheesemakers.
The three super gold awards were presented to exceptional cheeses from the Canary Islands:
- Cured sheep’s cheese from Guía, crafted by Quesería La Caldera in Gran Canaria.
- Cured pasteurized goat’s milk cheese from Quesos Luisita in Gran Canaria.
- Paprika-cured Maxorata cheese from Grupo Ganaderos de Fuerteventura, a cheese with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Queso Majorero.
In addition to these prestigious super golds, several other Canary Islands cheeses received recognition:
Gold medals were awarded to:
- Pure semi-cured goat’s milk cheese from Quesería El Guanche in Tenerife.
- Finca de Uga cheese spread with paprika from Lanzarote.
The list of silver medalists included cheeses like pure cured smoked goat’s milk cheese, semi-cured goat’s milk cheese with paprika, natural cured goat’s milk cheese, and natural tender goat’s milk cheese from Quesería El Faro in Lanzarote, as well as others from various producers.
Bronze medals were bestowed upon cheeses such as old Guatisea, semi-cured Guatisea from Quesería Montaña Blanca in Lanzarote, and others from different cheese producers in the Canary Islands.
The excellence of Canary Islands cheeses was further demonstrated by awards for gourmet semi-cured Maxorata with PDO Majorero cheese, smoked tender Tofio, semi-cured Tofio with gofio, and cured Tofio with paprika, all produced by Grupo Ganaderos de Fuerteventura.
Several other cheeses from different producers received bronze medals as well, showcasing the exceptional quality and diversity of Canary Islands cheeses.
These impressive results reflect the dedication and craftsmanship of Canary Islands cheesemakers and their commitment to producing outstanding cheeses that stand out on the world stage. For a complete list of the award-winning cheeses, you can visit the competition’s official website.
