When I was a kid I loved the road trips our family used to take several times a year. My favorite destination was the beach, but I also loved visiting the colonial states in the interior of the country. I think my love for history was born in those trips; visiting cities and towns founded by the Spanish conquistadores in the 16th and 17th centuries. Walking the narrow cobbled streets and alleys, visiting the local plazas with their municipal palaces and churches, appreciating the local architecture and craft work and eating in the local markets and cafes is an experience that I recommend to anybody thinking about visiting Mexico.
One such city that I remember particularly well is Celaya, in the state of Guanajuato. Celaya is a small colonial city, about 300,000 inhabitants, that is famous for its cajeta (ka-he-ta). This Mexican confection is made by thickening sweetened milk. The difference between cajeta and dulce de leche is that cajeta is made with goat’s milk. Cajeta can also contain vanilla and wine (cajeta envinada, my favorite for obvious reasons) that makes it even more flavorful.
In Celaya, cajeta is produced and sold by many small shops. One can buy small jars or whole boxes of the stuff. But my favorite part about visiting the capital of cajeta was tasting all the different flavors of cajeta (coconut, wine, peacans, etc.) and all the sweets made with it, lollipops, turnovers, stuffed croissants, jellos, flans, cakes, crepes, ice creams… I am getting a craving just by thinking about it. There are many ways you can use cajeta, in the future I’ll post some recipes, but you can always enjoy it just spread on toast, over ice cream or even as a sweetener for your coffe (I am enjoying that right now). If you see this sweet stuff in your next grocery trip, give it a try (the envinada version is amazing). You are going to love it.
¡Buen provecho!
24 Replies
I've never tried cajeta envinada, but now I want to! I want to visit the cajeta capital too. Sounds like a delicious city.
Posted on September 25th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Cajeta must taste wonderful! Thanks for sharing your memories!
That last picture is devilishly beautiful!
Cheers,
Rosa
Posted on September 25th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Yummy! I would love to try it…
Posted on September 25th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Mmmmm, drizzle it on anything and pass it over. Sounds delicious.
Posted on September 25th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
First time I've heard of cajeta and it definitely sounds better than dulce de leche. Your photos are amazing Ben.
Posted on September 25th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
It's amazing how something so simple can look so delicious! Gorgeous photos Ben!
Posted on September 25th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
My favorite is Cajeta Quemada, yummy. I tried to always have a bottle with me. It is sooooo good. Can't wait to see some recipes with this stuff.
Posted on September 25th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
That looks like something I would like to try. I've never seen a bottle of Cajeta before.
Posted on September 25th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Cajeta is so good! I used to keep a bottle around for all sorts of little treats, but haven't bought it in a while. Now I want some.
Posted on September 25th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Zingerman's, here in Ann Arbor, makes cajeta gelato from time to time and it's C's absolute favorite. I'd love to learn to make it!
Posted on September 25th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
My father was raised in Mexico, and I was born there. We moved to the US when I was three. Occasionally, my father would make a business trip back to Mexico and he always brought cajeta home for my sisters and me. I haven't thought of it in years. There was always a jar in the refrigerator drawer, and we'd grab spoonfuls as a snack. My favorite part was always the crystalized bits around the top of the jar. Thanks for reminding me of the childhood treat!
Posted on September 26th, 2009 at 1:46 am
That sounds delicious!!! In Colombia is called arequipe or dulce de leche….Cajeta envinada sounds fantastic.
Posted on September 26th, 2009 at 1:50 am
Beautiful photo's and the cajeta looks fantastically decadent!
Posted on September 26th, 2009 at 7:08 am
I wonder if the hispanic market in town would have this? I want to try it now
Posted on September 26th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Oooh, now I really want to try this! I bet I can find it at one of our ethnic groceries!
Posted on September 26th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
I think the owners of this sauce should purchase all the shots you have in this post – for a handsome sum of course!
Posted on September 26th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Yummy! I love putting it between cake layers, your pictures intensify how delicious cajeta is. Thanks
Posted on September 27th, 2009 at 4:00 am
That sounds delicious! I had never heard of cajeta. And I want to eat that picture. Just beautiful!
P.S. I tried to contact you via the page on your site. Here's my email: radadaisy [*at*] gmail [*dot*] com.
Posted on September 27th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
What a gorgeous picture!!!!
Posted on September 27th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
This is all new to me, Ben. I wish I could travel more now… I guess I'll have to wait until my jubilación to visit México and his beautiful cities and villages
Great pictures chico!
Posted on September 28th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Yay! I'm glad you like cajeta Coronado. I think this is the best cajeta – no other brand compares. You should try it on a corn toritilla. I don't know why but that combo just works. I have a jar in the pantry right waiting for my spoon.
Posted on September 28th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
The picture is beautiful and this post an eye-opener. Just read about cajeta for the first time!
Posted on October 1st, 2009 at 4:53 pm
love learning something new. this sounds awesome. when we make it to mexico i am SO looking for this! thanks for teaching us about it. i want some, now.
Posted on October 7th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
I have never seen this. I must look for it in the stores, because it looks jummy!
Posted on November 22nd, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Leave a reply