Queso de mano facts for kids

A yummy cachapa with queso de mano

Queso de mano means "cheese of the hand." It's a soft, white cheese from Venezuela. People often use it to fill tasty arepas and cachapas. This cheese is a bit like mozzarella, but it's made in special layers.

How Queso de Mano is Made

Making the Cheese Curd

To make queso de mano, cheesemakers start with milk from cows. Sometimes, they also use milk from sheep. They turn this milk into a soft, lumpy product called cuajada.

Shaping the Cheese

Next, the cuajada is mixed with hot water. This step makes the cheese stretchy and soft. After mixing, the warm cheese is put into special molds. These molds help shape the cheese into a round ball.

Different Kinds of Queso de Mano

A special type of this cheese is popular in the state of Bolívar. It's called guayanés cheese. It's a local favorite in that part of Venezuela.