Paloma López

Cheesemaker in Genestoso (Asturias, Spain)

The daughter of livestock breeders, López García studied teacher training in Oviedo, but went back to Genestoso to ensure that the town's cheesemaking tradition "would not be lost".

Born in Genestoso (28 km from Cangas del Narcea) in 1971, Paloma López García is the daughter of livestock breeders and cheesemakers. She studied teacher training in Oviedo, but went back to Genestoso to ensure that "such a significant tradition would not die out". Now, although production is small-scale, she is still in business and helping "the 'Genestoso' (or 'Xenestoso') cheese brand to stay alive". Genestoso is now a 100% cow cheese, although back in the days of transhumance it could also be made from goats or sheep.