Colombian gastronomy is very diverse and varied thanks to the wide range of ingredients and culinary traditions that we have throughout the country. Thanks to its recognized geographical and climatic diversity, in Colombia it is possible to grow and consume a considerable variety of very different ingredients that grow throughout the national territory. Because of this, here we always have fresh and regional foods to include in our cuisine.  

Likewise, the diversity of Colombian gastronomy is due in part to its history, which includes indigenous, African and European influences, which in turn contribute to the plurality of flavors and gastronomic traditions. Today we are going to talk about some dishes from the “sweet” part of Colombia, more specifically those that are traditional in Bogotá, that we Rolos love and of which we would like to recommend some to you. 

The arequipe 

The first sweet we are going to talk about is perhaps the best known: the arequipe, a mixture of milk with sugar that has been in Colombian homes for a long, long time. We could call it a sweet similar to candy but with a peculiar flavor, which is used in many of the most famous desserts in our country: millefeuille, figs with arequipe, oblea, among many others.  

Where to get arequipe?: In any supermarket or neighborhood store in Colombia!  

The wafers 

And since we mentioned the wafer, why not talk about it? The wafer is a type of cookie, like a waffle but thinner and crispier. It is normally consumed “in pairs”, that is, as a sandwich that you fill with the sweet ingredients that you like the most: arequipe, grated cheese, fruit jam, and many more. It is delicious!  

Where to get wafers?: If you are in Bogotá, we especially recommend visiting Cerro de Monserrate, where, in addition to the spectacular panoramic view of the city, you can get a wide variety of typical Colombian foods, including desserts. You can also get wafers during your tour of the historic center, there are street carts that will prepare them for you with the ingredients you like the most.  

The buñuelos 

If there is something that we Colombians love to do in the kitchen, it is combining sweet with salty. The buñuelos They are fried balls, made with cheese and cornstarch, which although they can be eaten alone, are also usually found filled with arequipe, melted chocolate or blackberry cream. There is buñuelos small and buñuelos large, buñuelos with cheese and buñuelos small, but they all share a delicious characteristic: their fluffy interior.  

Where to get buñuelos?: Although this is a traditionally Christmas food, in most Colombian cities you can find buñuelos fresh all year round in any traditional bakery. Likewise, in case you would like to prepare them yourself, it is also possible to buy a mixture for buñuelos in any supermarket in the country.  

La natilla 

Continuing with the list of Christmas traditions in Colombia, at this time you cannot miss the natilla. We could describe the natilla like a kind of white flan, generally served cold and accompanied by sweet sauces of various fruit-based flavors. Furthermore, it is common to serve the natilla in the company of some buñuelos.  

Where to get natilla?: During the months of November and December, in stores and supermarkets in Bogotá you can get boxes with mixture for natilla to which you do not have to add more than a little milk.  

Chocolate with cheese 

Question: could there be anything more Bogota than getting together with friends or family to have elevenses? Maybe yes: do it with a cup of hot chocolate and peasant cheese. And yes, we know that, at first, this mixture might seem a little strange, but we promise you that it is a spectacular combination: dare to try it! Sweet and salty get along very well in our country.  

Although it is not a very orthodox decision, it is highly traditional in the country's capital. The sweet flavor of chocolate with the salty flavor of cheese make this dish something very comfortable for us, which we invite you to try at least once during your visit. You can eat it in any dining room, we recommend the traditional ones in La Candelaria, around the Plaza de Bolívar.  

Where to get chocolate with cheese?: There are two possibilities: take it at a bogotan, or order it in a cafeteria. Our recommendation is that you order it in any of the traditional onces halls that you will find in the La Candelaria neighborhood, or around the Plaza de Bolívar.  

The sandwich 

To close with our list of the most traditional desserts in the city of Bogotá, we could not leave out the king of the crown: nothing more and nothing less than… the guava sandwich! It is a jelly or jam that, as its name indicates, is made from the guava fruit. It is red, very sweet, and can be eaten alone, sliced ​​with cheese, or used as a filling for other desserts and products from our traditional bakery, including roscón, puff pastries, pandebono and almojábanas. 

Where to get a sandwich?: If you want to eat it alone or with cheese, it is best to buy it in a supermarket, where you can get it sliced ​​or in blocks. But if what you are looking for is to try it in the best Colombian style (that is, as a filling), ask for it at any bakery in the country and you will surely get it.