The paste is traditionally wrapped in dried bijao leaves rather than plastic, a packaging method from the town of Vélez that is now protected as part of Colombia's cultural heritage.
Guava pulp is cooked down slowly with sugar until it sets into a firm, deep-red paste, then cut into blocks and wrapped in leaves or waxed paper. Roadside stands along Santander's highways stack them in towers, often paired with a slice of fresh cheese.