Queso helado

Queso helado
Alternative namesHelado de tarro
TypeFrozen dessert
Place of originArequipa, Peru
Main ingredientsmilk, condensed milk, cinnamon

Queso helado is a dessert typical of the Peruvian regional Arequipan cuisine.[1][2][3] While its name literally translates as "frozen cheese," the dessert contains no cheese but instead is made of fresh and condensed milk.[4]

Description

Queso helado is a frozen milk dessert that, despite a name that means "frozen cheese," is not made with cheese, but instead with a combination of fresh milk and condensed milk.[4][5] Its texture is creamy, and it is generally prepared artisanally in various flavors, although some businesses do produce queso helado industrially.[3][6][7]

History

As queso helado is milk-based, its origins can be traced to the Spanish conquest of Peru, when the Europeans introduced cattle to the Andes. Its popularity boomed in the 18th century when cattle farming expended to Arequipa's Chuquibamba, Viraco, and Pampacolca areas, which were home to high levels of milk production.[8] The dessert is also linked to the cattle farming areas near the Coropuna volcano.[9]

One of the first places where queso helado was prepared was the Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena, Arequipa, where it was made as an ice cream substitute.[8][10]

The dish is also sometimes known as helado de tarro due to the metal container it is traditionally prepared in.[9]

Since 2012, the government of Arequipa province has organized the Day of Arequipan Queso Helado at the Plaza de Armas de Arequipa every fourth Sunday in January.[11][12][13]

A woman serves queso helado out of a traditional wood and metal container.
A vendor serves queso helado.

Preparation

Traditionally, to prepare queso helado, one uses a deep wooden vessel filled with ice and salt, in which a smaller, conical, stainless steel container is placed. The steel cone is turned while a wooden spoon is used to beat a previously boiled mixture of fresh milk, condensed milk, powdered chuño (which serves as a thickener), and cinnamon until the mixture begins to freeze in layers that resemble slices of cheese (hence the name queso helado).[4][9][10][14][15][16] It is also common to add shredded coconut and spices, like vanilla, at this stage.[3] When serving queso helado, powdered cinnamon is added on top to decorate.[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Por su 478 aniversario: conozca lo mejor de la comida arequipeña". Panamericana Televisión (in Spanish). 2018-08-12. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  2. ^ Mercurio peruano (in Spanish). 1960. p. 65.
  3. ^ a b c Acurio, Gastón (2008). Larousse de la gastronomía peruana: diccionario gatronómico ilustrado (in Spanish). Q.W. Editores. p. 326. ISBN 978-9972-58-937-9.
  4. ^ a b c "Queso helado: cómo se prepara el delicioso postre típico de Arequipa (que no lleva queso)". BBC News Mundo (in Spanish). 2018-11-07. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  5. ^ Rodolfo, Hinostroza (2006). Primicias de cocina peruana (in Spanish). Editorial Everest. p. 227. ISBN 978-84-241-1481-7.
  6. ^ "Arequipa: el queso helado dejó de ser un postre artesanal". Correo (in Spanish). 2017-02-26. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  7. ^ Tapia, Johnny (2016-02-08). "Arequipa: Empresa innova con queso helado de sabores". Correo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  8. ^ a b Hancco, Nelly (2017-08-17). "El postre favorito de Arequipa es el exquisito queso helado". Correo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  9. ^ a b c "Conoce los secretos del queso helado arequipeño en Mistura". El Comercio (in Spanish). 2015-09-12. Archived from the original on 2019-04-14. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  10. ^ a b "AREQUIPEÑOS CELEBRARÁN EL DÍA DEL "QUESO HELADO"". Travel & Tour (in Spanish). 2015-01-21. Archived from the original on 2019-01-09. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  11. ^ "Festival de Queso Helado se realiza en Arequipa". RPP (in Spanish). 2016-01-29. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  12. ^ Hancco, Nelly (2018-01-28). "Más de 7 mil porciones de queso helado se vendieron en festival". Correo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  13. ^ "Se lleva a cabo el quinto festival del queso helado en Arequipa". RPP (in Spanish). 2017-01-29. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  14. ^ Weston, Rosario Olivas (1993). Cultura identidad y cocina en el Perú (in Spanish). Escuela Profesional de turismo y Hotelería, Facultad de Ciencias de la Comunicación, Turismo y Sicología, Universidad San Martin de Porres. p. 323.
  15. ^ "El queso helado será el rey de los postres". RPP (in Spanish). 2016-04-15. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  16. ^ a b "Arequipa: Conozca los 4 pasos básicos para preparar Queso Helado". Correo (in Spanish). 2016-01-22. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
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