Quimbaya Panela Tour from PEREIRA

Quimbaya Panela Tour from Pereira

The coffee zone of Colombia is not just a perfect location for producing the very best coffee in the world, along with enormous amounts of tropical fruits. But it is also a grand source of the world’s panela. In point of fact, Colombia is the 2nd largest producer of Panela in the world behind India!

Your day will begin with a relaxing journey through the beautiful scenery of the Colombian Coffee Zone. Passing mountains full of crops of coffee, platano, tropical fruits, and yes sugar cane! You’ll be traveling towards the small town of Quimbaya, stopping at a wonderful panela factory where you’ll learn the complete process, as well as enjoying a fresh sample.

Most Colombian Trapiches (Panela factories) are small and only go into production for 2-3 days a week. This trapiche is no exception, only producing this brown gold Thursday to Saturday.

For the majority of farmers, the production begins in the fields with the backbreaking work of cutting the sugarcane by hand with a machete. This work will begin as the sun comes up and continue throughout the day with the sun streaming down on the hard workers sweating down below. The sugarcane is then transported to a Trapiche where it is pressed to allow the green sugarcane juice within to escape, and the discarded stalks set aside to fuel the fires burning over the following day's production.

The sugarcane green juice then moves into a stressful, and intriguing process of working this liquid into the finished product. It’s a process of boiling, stirring, mixing, and scoping the boiling liquid from pan to pan. Continuing for some time until the syrup starts to cool, thicken, and begins to take a new fudge-like form. This is then molded into Panela patties and set aside to cool down completely before it is wrapped and packed for sale.  

Once you’ve learned all there is to know about the finer details of this artisan craft dating back over 500 years into the 1600s, you’ll begin your relaxing journey back to your accommodation with the fresh smell and taste of fresh and healthy panela on your mind.

What's included?

• Pickup and Drop-off from your Pereira accommodation.
• Transport in private vehicle
• Guided tour of Trapiche
• Lunch
• Bilingual Tour Guide – Spanish, English.

• Experiences and Transportation not mentioned in the plan
• Personal expenses and tips

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