The general director of Agri-food production and cooperatives, Elena Escobar, visited the artisan workshop of ‘San Telesforo’, one of the companies registered with the Mazapán de Toledo Protected Geographical Indication, to see first-hand how it is preparing for the start of the Christmas campaign.
Toledo marzipan is the only one protected by a quality numberas Escobar recalls: “it is an almond paste of the highest quality, not comparable to other almond pastes or similar products, and it is the only one with a quality figure recognized by the European Commission», Reported the Council in a press release.
Produced with just two ingredients, almonds and sugar, the “Toledo almond paste, at least It contains 50 percent of the highest quality almonds“, which makes it a product very appreciated by consumers”, explained the general director, who encouraged the inhabitants of Castile-La Mancha “to put marzipan of the PGI of Toledo on their tables this Christmas, offering the best to our loved ones. “.
The Government of Castile-La Mancha continues to promote quality figurines, protected by the Campo y Alma guarantee mark, and in 2025 will devote 2.5 million euros to its promotion, by strengthening both participation in national and international fairs, as well as advertising campaigns in the media and outside major cities, as well as activities in direct-to-consumer sales points.
The oldest confectionery in Toledo
“San Telesforo” is the oldest confectionery in Toledo, dating back to 1806. Since then, six generations have succeeded each other at the helm of the company, reaching the current owners, sisters Mari Ángeles and Patricia Junquera, “who put this company at the top,” Escobar emphasized.
Coinciding with the week commemorating Rural Women’s Day, the general director highlighted her work at the head of agri-food companies and cooperatives in the region, citing as an example these two sisters, responsible for “San Telesforo”.
“In this week when we celebrate Rural Women’s Day, October 15, it is important to highlight the work of women at the forefront of agribusiness industries,” commented Escobar, emphasizing that “we have a agribusiness sector in Castilla- La “Very important place, in which there are more and more women, like Mari Ángeles and Patricia, who are an excellent example, because they are at the forefront, as directors of our agri-food industries and our cooperatives.”
In San Telesforo, 30 people work throughout the year, a figure that increases with around 15 additional people during the Christmas campaign. Of these, 78 percent are women.
Since the approval of the Status of Rural Women in 2019, the female presence has increased in the agri-food sector, fundamental for the economy of Castilla-La Mancha. So much so that a third of those involved in agriculture and livestock are women, with Castilla-La Mancha being the second region in terms of shared ownership. In addition, women are increasingly present in the management bodies of cooperatives in the Autonomous Community.
