Mojo Sauce Workshop at Casa Carmen in Chirche offers visitors a unique way to experience the island’s culinary and cultural heritage. In the quiet mountain village of Chirche in southwest Tenerife, Casa Carmen welcomes guests to begin their journey with an engaging historical introduction from local guide Erik, who shares the story of how mojo sauces became a staple of Canarian cuisine. These vibrant red (mojo rojo) and green (mojo verde) sauces have been part of Tenerife’s food culture for generations, deeply connected to local ingredients and traditions.
After the introduction, guests join Chef Ave for a hands-on mojo-making workshop. Participants prepare both sauces from scratch – chopping fresh herbs, garlic, and peppers, then grinding them in a traditional stone mortar. Once the ingredients are perfectly blended, a generous amount of olive oil is added to create the rich, flavorful mojos that pair perfectly with local dishes.
The experience continues on Casa Carmen’s beautiful terrace, where the freshly made sauces are served with papas arrugadas (wrinkled Canarian potatoes) and fresh bread. While everyone enjoys the tasting, Erik enriches the moment with more insights into Canarian culture – from the cultivation of traditional potatoes, to the creamy sweetness of café barraquito, to the island’s famous carnival held every February.
To round off the visit, Erik leads a short guided walk through the charming streets of Chirche, revealing the village’s history and its connection to Tenerife’s rural heritage.
For those seeking more than just a cooking class, Casa Carmen offers a memorable immersion into the flavors, stories, and traditions that make the Canary Islands so unique.