Churros Madrid – Did you know where the oldest churros maker family is?
When traveling to Spain, and especially to Madrid, one of the first things you think about are famous churros with chocolate!
What do we actually know about churros Madrid tradition? Where do they come from?
How should you decide where to eat churros when you come to Madrid?
The churrería of San Gines is one of the most important attractions in Madrid, very well-loved by every person that visits it even just for a day. It is the oldest establishment where they have been making churros since 1894. But, there is another treasure in Madrid that shouldn’t be missed out when you´re visiting the capital, the churrería where churros are made by the oldest churros maker family! Los Artesanos 1902 are the oldest family of “churreros” in Madrid and their churros are spiced up by their family tradition and are one of the things you must try when you visit the capital!
The secret family recipe & their story
The story dates back to the year 1902 when Don Florencio, the great-grandfather of Don Gabi, opened the first “churrería” in the street Ave María. This was where he was teaching the art of making churros to his son Don Galo, the father of Don Gabi. Once Don Galo perfected the art, he started selling churros and porras on the streets of Madrid. Slowly but definitely their art of making churros was recognized and the family business started growing.
Nowadays, they represent an important part of Madrileñan and Spanish tradition as the oldest family of “churreros”, and the family, Don Gabi, Carmen, and their three children, Juan, Hector and Alba keep the secret family recipe safe.
Los Artesanos 1902 have been using the same traditional methods of making churros through generations, and aim to never lose it and the warmth hospitality of serving delicious hot chocolate, porras and the best handmade churros. If you are coming to Madrid, don’t miss the opportunity to try this traditional Madrileñan treat and enjoy in a homely ambience of Los Artesanos 1902.
A secret history of churros – Portugal or Spain? Where do they come from?
There are different opinions about the origin of churros. Some people believe that churros were the invention of Spanish nomadic shepherds who were living high in the mountains with no access to bakeries. These men were working hard in the mountains most of the days and occasionally craving for a sweet treat. There were no bakeries so they created churros because they were very easy to prepare in frying pans on the open fire.
Does the name “churro” come from a sheep?🤔
The name churro comes from a sheep breed called “Navajo-Churro” that is descended from the “Churra” sheep from the Iberian Peninsula. The horns of the “Churra” sheep look similar to the fried pastry, so this was where their name came from.
There is always a different story… 🙂
Another story dates back to the time when Portuguese were discovering the new world and the trading routes took them all the way to China. Portuguese sailors discovered the salty pastry in the far Northern China, where they were called “You Tiao”, fried flour devil. Maybe Chinese named it like this because they were aware this pastry wasn’t very healthy for them, but on the other hand, maybe they gave this name to it because it was so tasty that it was difficult to stop eating it? 🙂 Portuguese brought the technique that Chinese were using to make this fried salty treats home and changed it a little bit to make a star shape and added sugar.
Portuguese sailors discovered the salty pastry in the far Northern China, where they called it “You Tiao”, fried flour devil. Maybe Chinese named it like this because they were aware this pastry wasn’t very healthy for them, but it was so tasty that they just couldn’t stop eating it? 🙂
Portuguese brought the technique that Chinese were using to make this fried salty treats home and changed it a little bit to make the star shape and added sugar. Once it got to the Iberian Peninsula, it got a new form and taste, and when the Spanish shepherds discovered it, it also got a new name “Churro”.
The first churros were as large as a loaf of bread and rolled in cinnamon and sugar. The nomadic shepherds introduced it to the towns in their journeys, and quickly they became very popular.
Churros traveled from continent to continent
Churros have crossed the continent thanks to the “Conquistadors” and got all the way to Latin America. As they were discovered in different countries, churros have passed through many changes. For example in Cuba, they like to eat churros with different fruit fillings, while countries like Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru fill them with white or dark chocolate or “dulce de leche” (caramel).
In the European continent, back to the Iberian Peninsula, the churro evolved and changed depending on the area and eating preferences. In the North of Spain, including churros of Madrid, they preferably eat thicker version of churros, called “Porra”, which is considered to be the best for dipping. In Andalusia, the dough is thinner, which makes it more difficult to make the iconic star shape.
Churros Madrid – if you crave for some sweet churros with chocolate in the middle of the night, it’s not a problem!
Nowadays, churros can be found in churrerías, made by “Churrero”, the churros master. It can be eaten for breakfast, between meals, to satisfy your hunger, or as a midnight treat. The best accompanion of churros is a cup of hot dipping chocolate. It is usually what we eat churros with in Madrid, but you can also pair them with a cup of coffee. 😉
You can always count on a Churrería to be opened until the late night hours, and if you visit the capital, and crave for some hot sweet treat like chocolate and churros. Now you know where to find them. 😉
If you´re planning a food trip in Madrid, we recommend you to join our food tour. The guides will share the history of every Spanish food you will try.
