The tasting process is a precise choreography: the cheese's aroma is examined from the least exposed side, it is then cut for a second olfactory assessment, and finally, a small portion is tasted to evaluate its texture and flavor. This rigorous method is applied to each sample, which in this edition included 24 semi-cured, 18 cured, 7 with mixed vegetable rennet, 4 with vegetable rennet (known as Flor cheese), and 10 innovative varieties.
The tasting lasted three hours, with 25 tasters participating across six tables. Among them, 19 were master cheesemakers or highly experienced professionals, and 6 were enthusiasts linked to the municipality of Guía or the sector. The event's organization, managed by the Santa María de Guía City Council and curated by a rural development and gastronomic tourism consultant, took place in the old chapel of Santa Catalina de Siena, now the Casa de la Cultura de Guía.
“"The objective of the tasting and the entire festival is to recognize and promote the effort made by the families behind these cheeses, who work 365 days a year to bring to our tables an artisanal product of such high quality, unique in the world."
To promote the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Queso de Flor de Guía, Queso de Media Flor de Guía, and Queso de Guía, the only one in Gran Canaria, the prize money for the five registered dairies was doubled, from 120 to 300 euros. Additionally, categories were expanded to include 'Innovation and alternative formats,' aiming to stimulate creativity with cheeses incorporating ingredients such as almond from Tejeda, walnuts from Valleseco, or chorizo from Teror.
This year's record participation involved complex logistics, with a team of 30 people dedicated to cutting and displaying the cheeses. Products were stored in refrigerators at the Municipal Market and transported to the Casa de la Cultura on the day of the tasting. A computer application facilitated the tasters' evaluations, speeding up the final verdict. The awards ceremony, which includes special mentions to the Canarian Institute of Agri-Food Quality and the Cabildo de Gran Canaria for their commitment to the Flor Territory, will conclude the event's annual cycle.
