Madeira Sweet Rituals: curd cheese, queijadas and herbal tea tasting
This immersive gastronomic experience, set in the small Santo da Serra village, about 40 minutes from Funchal, invites you to dive into the most authentic and flavourful regional sweets from Madeira. This sweets and tea tour leads you through several memorable moments, including a tasting of Madeira tea, sampling handmade queijadas and a guided visit to an artisanal dairy producing the island’s renowned artisanal cottage cheese.
The experience places a special emphasis on the roots of these traditional flavours. The journey begins in a family-owned cheese factory that has preserved the tradition established in 1955 by the owners’ great-grandparents. We’re talking about the island cottage cheese, now recognized with PGI certification (Protected Geographical Indication). In the past, it was made in iron pots heated over wood fires and stirred with wooden spoons. Later, the cheeses were wrapped in cabbage leaves and sold in grocery stores and select restaurants in Funchal.
Although the production process has evolved, much of the original heritage remains, the milk comes from local producers, the production scale is still artisanal and the flavours remain faithful to tradition. During the visit, you will also have the opportunity to taste other delicacies, such as fresh cottage cheese, white cheese and passion fruit dessert.
But at this stage, this Madeiran gastronomy journey devoted to sweet rituals is far from over!
A Sweets and Tea Tour: savouring the heart of Madeira
Just a few minutes away, you’ll reach the final stop of this tour, a charming tea house with a stunning views over the valley and the Atlantic Ocean. Surrounded by nature, this cozy space invites you to enjoy Madeira tea made from aromatic herbs grown on the property, a delicate and refreshing infusion served with homemade jams, sweet potato bread, tropical island fruits and queijadas.
A perfect way to end this sensorial journey, where every detail, from the ingredients to the idyllic landscapes, tells the story of Madeiran food and its timeless sweetness.
From our gallery
Landscapes that linger in the memory, flavours made for sharing and traditions passed down through generations: dive into the photo album of Food on Foot experiences!
Sweet Rituals: useful information
When does it happen?
Wednesday 9am
Duration
4 hours
Meeting Point
Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Funchal or Caniço
Number of participants
Minimum: 6 people
Maximum: 12 people
Price
137 € — Adults
117 € — Children (7–12 years)
What is included in this Madeira tea tasting?
This experience has been carefully designed to offer you a genuine and unforgettable encounter with the regional sweets from Madeira. The tour includes:
Guided visit to a traditional cheese factory
Tastings of local fresh cheese, cottage cheese and passion fruit dessert
Madeira tea tasting with regional accompaniments
Transportation with pick-up and drop-off in Funchal or Caniço
Assistance from a local guide, knowledgeable about Madeiran culture and gastronomy
Tour Location
This immersive experience takes place in Santo da Serra, a peaceful village in the municipality of Machico, one of the treasures of the island’s eastern coast.
Gallery
Landscapes that linger in the memory, flavours made for sharing and traditions passed down through generations: dive into the photo album of Food on Foot experiences!
Pleasantly surprised!
"Highly recommended tour. I booked a guided tour for the first time and was so pleasantly surprised! A great tour with visits to local cheese producers. I got a lovely insight into the lives of the locals on Madeira and was rewarded with a great tour guide and lovely travellers. Thank you Madeira Exquisite Food on Foot Tours for the experience. I can definitely recommend it!"
Tripadvisor review Mar. 2024
The best Madeira has to offer
"We take a few Jaqueline Freitas tours every year, and they are simply the best Madeira has to offer. On this recent tour with ‘Madeira Exquisite Food on Foot Tours,’ we went from Funchal to Santo António da Serra, passing through Jaqueline’s hometown, with stunning views. We visited Santo Queijo, the only traditional cheese producer on the island, learned about the production process, and tasted fresh cheeses and delicious snacks, sampled passion fruit sweets and local drinks, and finished with herbal tea and fresh cakes. An amazing and flavorful experience!"
Apr 30, 2024