La Gomera’s liquid gold
On the island of La Gomera, survives an ancient culture centred around tradition, craftsmanship, and appreciation of nature. Around every corner, authentic culture and nearly forgotten practices await your discovery in this rural paradise. The land of eternal green is a true melting pot of cultures – throughout its tumultuous history, Spanish tradition mixed with South-American influences and created the Gomero’s unique and distinctive customs, which travellers can experience today. A journey to the island of diversity will broaden your horizons, awaken all your senses & leave you wanting more.
It may come as a surprise that a thick, sticky dark molasse is the centrepiece of cultural heritage in La Gomera. However, despite being a simple product, this honey is the most representative example of the gastronomy and heritage of the island. The origin story of this local treasure produced right in the heart of the Canary Islands convinces every sceptic of its importance.
Miel de Palma – the elixir of La Gomera – is a sweet syrup produced from the sap of palm trees. The miel de Palma is the result of the cooking of the sap from the palm tree till it is thick and the liquid becomes golden. Various practices tied to the endemic palm trees have existed in La Gomera over the centuries and most of them date back to the period before the conquest. Yet, even to this day, farmers climb the treetops and collect the palm tree sap with buckets in order to make miel de Palma. This process is done at night, as the sap is very sensitive to sunlight. Everything from the palm tree is used up, from the trunk to the leaves, from the sap to its fruits. This is a prime example of how Gomeros used their resources even when they were scarce.
Discovering the fascinating process of this typical delicacy of Gomeran cuisine has never been so interactive. Let Casa de Miel de Palma take you on a tour that will make your mouth water.
Located in the village of Alojera, in the north of La Gomera, you will be able to immerse yourself in each of the steps involved in its production. Further, La Casa de Miel de Plama in La Gomera’s north educates visitors on the importance of the palm tree in the Canary Islands and allows travelers to witness this unique process step by step.
A must-see for anyone fascinated by culture and tradition! This is truly an activity that you can enjoy with your family and where you can learn about traditional works that are part of the culture of the island.
The Casa de Miel de Palma can be visited from Wednesday to Saturday, from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, and offers the possibility of guided tours that include a tasting of different typical products such as guarapo or palm honey.
