Treasures of Colombia: Colombian Arepa de Queso (Colombian Street Food)

Arepa De Queso is like the Jamaican Corn Bread and Cheese.

For many years, there has been a dispute between the Colombians and the Venezuelans about who invented the “Arepa de Queso”. Up until today´s date, the battle is still on.

In Colombia, the best Arepa de queso is said to have come from Boyacá – it is centrally located in Colombia in the eastern mountainous region to the border with Venezuela.

Treasures of Colombia: Colombian (Colombian Street Food)

By: Stacey -Ann Smith

Although the Arepa de queso (Arepa Boyacense) was originated from this region, it is well loved all over the country.

In 2006, the Arepa de queso was nominated as a cultural symbol of Colombia by the popular magazine “La Revista – Semana” and the Ministry of Culture. This breakfast corn cake is very addictive and can be eaten at any time of day with either a cold or hot beverage. I personally like eating it while drinking black coffee (Tinto) as it is affectionately called.

The Arepa de Queso reminds me of our Jamaican Corn Bread and Cheese, both in taste and smell.

It also has that yellow Corn Bread color due to the corn (Maiz) that it is made from. The process is similar to that of the Jamaican fried dumplings, the differences vary in ingredients:

cheese
milk
sugar

All are added to the dough – a special flour made from corn is used and it´s not fried in a lot of oil most of the time it is fried in butter.

I must say, this “Corn Bread & Cheese” Arepa de Queso is a must have, if and when you visit Colombia; however, if you don´t get the chance to do so I have provided you with the ingredients so that you can make your own Arepa de Queso.

So be innovative in your kitchen and create your own delicious Arepita!

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About the writer:

Stacey Ann Smith is from Kingston, Jamaica. She is an alumnus of Camperdown High School and she graduated from The Shortwood Teachers’ College having earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Modern Languages, Spanish and French. Presently, Stacey is an English teacher at a University in Colombia. She describes herself as a vivacious and loving person who also has a passion for travelling, taking pictures, her son Nicholas and Ashley, her adorable feline.