This experience begins with an immersive, hands-on activity where you will make a small fresh cheese known locally in Ecuador as cuajada. All materials are provided, so you can fully enjoy the process without any prior knowledge. This first moment is designed to awaken your senses, connecting you with the coolness of the countryside and the natural aromas of the field — a beautiful way to understand where all cheeses begin.
After this introduction, you will sit down to enjoy a curated cheese board featuring five different Ecuadorian cheeses from various regions of the country. Each cheese is paired with its traditional local accompaniment, allowing you to explore the flavors Ecuadorians typically enjoy with their cheeses and to understand how cheese fits into everyday food culture.
The tasting journey moves from the freshest and softest cheeses to more complex and aged styles. Along the way, you will learn about Ecuador’s cheese culture, the landscapes that shape each cheese, and the stories of the small producers behind them. All cheeses tasted during the experience are made with pasteurized milk, in accordance with Ecuadorian regulations.
Throughout the tasting, water will be available at all times, along with a selection of Ecuadorian wines to enjoy as the group relaxes, connects, and shares conversation. This is a social and welcoming experience — a chance to laugh, ask questions, exchange impressions, and make new friends around cheese and wine.
To conclude, you will enjoy a small plated dish where the cheeses are presented in different textures and preparations, inspired by local Ecuadorian flavors. This final course brings the experience together in a creative and memorable way.
The total duration of the experience is approximately 2 hours.
The entire tasting is guided by Abi, founder of Alma de Queso, your local cheese expert and host, who will guide you through each step in a relaxed, engaging, and approachable way.
