Gofio from the Canary Islands is a food of great value that has been a part of the islanders’ culture for over 1,000 years. Recognized by the European Union as a Geographically Identified Product (PGI), it is made using the same process as the aborigines of the islands in traditional mills. The secret to its value as a superfood lies in the fact that it provides great energy and retains 100% of its natural fiber. Gofio is also protected by the European Union and is on its way to being recognized as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Canary Islands by UNESCO.
For the people of the Canary Islands, gofio has been a staple in their diet for centuries and is mixed with water, milk, Canarian stew, kneaded with broth in escaldón, in the typical Canarian dish of sancocho, and in any recipe that calls for flour. In recent times, the chefs of the new Canarian cuisine have elevated it to a gourmet level by incorporating it into their creations.
According to Dolores García Martín, a specialist in the primary sector of the Gofio Tasting Committee of the Government of the Canary Islands, gofio is healthier than other flours because it is toasted, retaining all its nutrients. It is also a great alternative for those who are gluten-intolerant as it can be made with various types of grain, such as wheat, millet, rye, barley, chickpeas, peas, and quinoa.
Mabel Ojeda, a dietician and nutritionist, points out that gofio is a fast-absorbing carbohydrate that provides energy and contains all of its fiber. This makes it an ideal food supplement for people engaging in sports or active tourism activities.
The traditional elaboration of gofio in the mills of the Canary Islands has remained unchanged since the conquest of the islands in 1492. Today, 34 mills remain in operation all year round, producing gofio all year round because it is a fundamental part of the islanders’ identity. According to Cathaysa Cabeza Carrillo, a technician in Heritage Management and historian, the Canary Islanders recognize themselves in this product and it has been consumed equally by all social classes. Visiting the traditional mills to purchase freshly made gofio is a journey into the past of the islands and is a connection to the palate of the present that energizes the spirit as it did a thousand years ago.
Find out more about the Canary Islands, Europe’s top winter sun destination, at www.hellocanaryislands.com
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