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La Gloria receives the award for best Canary Islands cheese for a semi-cured raw goat's milk spread with gofio
The La Gloria Cheese Factory, of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, consolidates more than seven decades of experience with one of the most relevant recognitions in the agri-food sector of the islands: the award for Best Cheese from the Canary Islands 2026.
The Gran Canaria family business obtained this distinction in the Official Competition of Agro-Canadian Cheeses, organized by the Government of the Canary Islands through the Canary Institute of Agri-Food Quality. The winning cheese was a semi-cured raw goat's milk spread with gofio, a preparation that well summarizes the philosophy of the house: own product, artisanal work and an identity closely linked to the territory.
La Gloria also received a big gold medal for another production of semi-cured raw goat milk, which reinforces the weight of the cheese factory within the Canarian cheese map.
The Minister of Agriculture, Cattle raising, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty of the Government of the Canary Islands, Narvay Quintero, visited the cheese factory facilities and highlighted the role of La Gloria as an example of tradition, family effort and commitment to quality. During the visit he was accompanied by the owners, José Miguel Ortega Suárez y Paqui Pérez Navarro, in addition to representatives of the ICCA, of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council and the livestock sector.
The story of La Gloria began more than 70 years in San Agustín. since 25 years, José Miguel Ortega and Paqui Pérez are at the head of this family business, that has maintained a model based on animal welfare, artisanal production and the exclusive use of raw milk from its own farm.
Paqui Pérez Navarro received the award with “nerves and excitement”, as reported during the visit, and put emphasis on apparently simple aspects, but decisive in the final quality: patience, the affection, the temperature, cuts and animal handling. He also defended the need for the consumer to pay a fair price for this type of preparation., capable of sustaining the work of producers with dignity.
The cheese factory has more than 2.000 Majorera breed goats, of which around 1.500 are dedicated to milk production. Its annual production is estimated at 87.000 kilos of cheese, with a catalog that includes soft cheeses, semi-cured, cured and aged, in addition to specialties spread with gofio, paprika or pesto, and smoked preparations.
The prize of 2026 joins a track record of recognition. La Gloria had already obtained the highest award in the Official Agrocanarias Cheese Contest in 2021 with cheese spread with extra virgin olive oil. It also has international awards, including a medal Super Gold in the World Cheese Awards 2017.
La Gloria cheeses can be purchased and tasted at the cheese factory itself., at your neighborhood store, in the San Fernando Market and in different restaurant establishments and shops on the island and the Peninsula. Sales to tourists visiting Gran Canaria are also an important part of their activity..
With this new recognition, La Gloria reinforces its position as one of the great references of Canarian cheese: a family cheese factory, raw milk, Majorera goat and trade accumulated over generations.
