Kamil Perry
Guyana is known for its delicious cheese pies, rolls, and other treats. The country's cuisine has been influenced by six different ethnic groups, resulting in a variety of unique sweets and desserts. One of the most popular cheese dishes in Guyana is the cheese pie, which is similar to a mini quiche with an outer pastry crust filled with cheese, eggs, and milk. Another beloved cheese treat is the Guava Cheese, a chewy, fudge-like confectionery made from guavas and sugar. It is a popular dessert in Guyana and other Caribbean countries, with a tangy, lemony flavour. In addition to these sweet treats, Guyana also has savoury options like cheese rolls, which are flaky, cheesy, and slightly spicy. The country's staple cheese is Anchor cheese, similar to a pale cheddar, and Edam cheese, which is imported from Suriname and was once a Christmas staple.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Flaky |
| Taste | Tangy, cheesy, slightly spicy |
| Colour | Pale, deep yellow or orange |
| Ingredients | Cheese, eggs, milk, flour, sugar, salt, butter, vegetable shortening, water |
| Type | Pastry, pie, roll |
| Variants | Cheddar, Gouda, Edam |
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What You'll Learn
Anchor cheese is a staple in Guyana and the Caribbean
In Guyana, cheese is a cherished part of the local cuisine, with dishes such as cheese pies and cheese rolls showcasing its versatility. The Guyanese cheese pie, a beloved delicacy, is a fusion of the Portuguese egg tart and English pies, resulting in a mouth-watering treat. It consists of an outer pastry crust filled with cheese and an egg custard, creating a soft, buttery, and cheesy delight. The pie is perfect for any meal, from breakfast to afternoon tea, and can be served warm or at room temperature.
Cheese rolls are another popular Guyanese dish, often enjoyed during weekend trips to bakeries. These rolls are flaky, cheesy, and slightly spicy, making them a favourite among locals. The process of making cheese rolls requires patience and focus, particularly when it comes to preparing the crust and assembling the ingredients. While some opt for store-bought pie crusts, others prefer the challenge of crafting their own pastry.
In addition to Anchor cheese, Guyana has other notable cheeses, such as Edam, a Dutch cheese that was historically imported from Suriname. Edam cheese, with its red wax coating, was once a Christmas staple in Berbice and is still enjoyed by many. Local shop owners in Guyana also used to make their own blocks of cheese, contributing to the country's diverse cheese culture.
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Guyanese cheese pies are similar to quiches
The process of making a Guyanese cheese pie is straightforward. The pastry dough is made by mixing flour, sugar, and salt, and then adding shortening and butter until the mixture is coarse. Water is then added to bring the dough together. The filling is made by mixing grated cheddar cheese, eggs, milk, salt, and black pepper. The chilled pans are filled with cheese, and then the egg mixture is poured into each pan, just shy of the top. The pies are then baked in the oven until they are golden brown.
Guyanese cheese pies can be served warm or at room temperature and are perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, or as a snack. They can also be frozen and saved for later.
In addition to cheese pies, Guyana also has other cheese delicacies, such as cheese rolls and Guava Cheese, a chewy, fudge-like confectionery made from guavas and sugar. The influence of various cultures, including British, Portuguese, and Dutch, has resulted in the creation of unique cheese dishes in Guyana.
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Guava Cheese is a popular dessert in Guyana
Guava cheese, also known as perad in Goa, India, and pasta de guayaba in the United States, is one of Guyana's oldest and most popular desserts. This confectionery is a beloved treat in the Caribbean, including in Trinidad, Barbados, and even in Spain. It is especially popular during the Christmas holidays, with its tangy, distinct lemony flavour enjoyed by people of all ages.
Guava cheese is a fruit-based jelly that can also be made with other fruits like pear and ginger. The process of making it involves washing, peeling, and boiling guavas, removing any dark spots, and then chopping them into chunks. The fruit is then pureed, strained to remove seeds, and heated in a skillet with sugar. The mixture is stirred until it thickens and becomes sticky, at which point ghee and lime juice are added. When it forms a mass similar to jam, it is removed from the heat and allowed to congeal. The final product is a chewy, fudge-like treat with a tangy, lemony flavour.
In addition to guava cheese, Guyana also has other popular cheese-based dishes, including cheese pies and cheese rolls. The Guyanese cheese pie is a pastry crust filled with cheese, eggs, and milk, similar to a quiche or mini tart. It is a simple yet tasty dish that can be served at any meal, from breakfast to afternoon tea. The cheese roll is another beloved pastry, described as flaky, cheesy, and slightly spicy. These rolls are often enjoyed as baked goods and can be made with pre-made pie crust and store-bought shredded cheese.
While Guyana has its own unique cheese-based dishes, the country also has a few staple cheeses. Anchor cheese, a pale cheddar-like variety, is commonly found in Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean. Additionally, due to historical influences, Edam cheese from Holland or the Netherlands holds a special place in Guyana, especially during Christmas time.
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Guyanese cheese rolls are slightly spicy
Guyanese cheese rolls are a beloved baked good in Guyana, and for good reason—they're absolutely delicious! These rolls are slightly spicy, with a delicate, flaky texture and a scrumptious cheesy flavour. The slight spiciness is achieved with a hint of curry powder in the dough, though this ingredient is optional. The dough is made with flour, salt, butter, shortening, and ice-cold water, and the cheese is seasoned with mustard, pepper sauce, dry parsley, black pepper, and garlic powder.
The process of making Guyanese cheese rolls takes patience and focus, particularly when it comes to the crust and assembly. The dough is prepared by cutting butter and shortening into a flour mixture until it forms little lumps, then adding ice-cold water to bring it together. This dough is then refrigerated for a couple of hours or overnight. In the meantime, the cheese is mixed with various seasonings. After the dough has chilled, it is flattened into a square shape, making it easier to cut into the desired shape for the rolls.
The assembly process involves filling the dough with the seasoned cheese and baking it until golden. The result is a flaky, crumbly pastry with a delicate texture that simply melts in your mouth. The slight spiciness of the curry powder enhances the cheesy flavour, creating a unique and irresistible combination.
While the traditional Guyanese cheese roll recipe does not include curry powder, some modern variations have experimented with adding a small amount of curry powder to the dough, giving the rolls a subtle hint of spice. This addition of curry powder is completely optional and does not overpower the cheesy flavour but instead complements it, creating a delightful fusion of flavours that tantalizes the taste buds.
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Edam cheese is cherished in Guyana
Edam cheese is a beloved variety in Guyana, where it holds a special place in the country's food culture. It is a Dutch cheese, imported from Suriname, and was once a Christmas staple in parts of the country. Its red wax coating may have contributed to its popularity during the festive season, giving it a Christmassy appearance.
Edam is one of the most well-known Dutch cheeses, and it is enjoyed all over the world. In Guyana, it is a cherished part of the country's culinary heritage, with a history stretching back to its time as a Dutch colony. The Dutch influence on Guyanese food is just one of many, with the country's cuisine shaped by six different ethnic groups.
The cheese is often enjoyed as part of a savoury dish, such as the famous Guyanese cheese pie, a pastry filled with cheese, egg custard, and baked until golden brown. This is a beloved dish, with a simple recipe that can be made at home and served at any time of day. The pie is similar to a quiche and is often served with a salad.
Guyana is also known for its cheese rolls, another baked pastry dish, which can be made with store-bought or homemade pastry. These rolls are delicate, flaky, and slightly spicy, and are a beloved snack, often enjoyed with a bottle of cream soda.
While Guyana has a strong cheese culture, with local shop owners making their own blocks of cheese, it can be hard to find Guyanese cheese outside of the country.
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Frequently asked questions
Guyana cheese is an adaptation of the Portuguese egg tart combined with English pies. It is a pie with an outer pastry crust that is filled with cheese and an egg custard and baked.
Guyanese cheese pies are described as having a soft, buttery, and flaky texture with a cheesy, slightly spicy, and delicate taste.
Anchor cheese, a pale cheddar cheese, is considered a staple in Guyana and the Caribbean. In North America, annatto coloring is added to cheddar cheese, giving it a deep yellow or orange color. Other similar cheeses include Gouda and Edam, which are coated in a waxy outer layer.
Yes, one of Guyana's oldest confections is Guava Cheese, a chewy, fudge-like dessert made primarily from guavas and sugar. It is a popular treat in the Caribbean, including Trinidad, Barbados, and Guyana, and is especially enjoyed during the Christmas holidays. Guyanese cheese rolls and pine tarts from Sybil's bakery in Queens, New York, are also well-loved.
