In Santander, one of the Colombian northern regions with the strongest gastronomic identity, a recent innovation is drawing the attention of chefs, curious travelers, and lovers of fascinating experiences: hormiga culona (big-butt ant) wine. This is an artisanal beverage that exists only in Colombia and reinterprets one of the oldest culinary symbols of the country’s northeastern region, taking tradition into new territory without losing its cultural roots.
The hormiga culona, consumed since pre-Hispanic times by the Guane Indigenous people, has for centuries been an emblem of Santander’s cuisine. Traditionally eaten toasted as a snack or side dish, its harvesting is tied to natural cycles and ancestral knowledge passed down from generation to generation. Today, that legacy is transformed into a beverage that blends memory, identity, and innovation.
The “hormiga culona” ant: from ancestral snack to artisanal wine in Colombia
Hormiga culona wine is an artisanal white wine made from this iconic insect, with a flavor profile that surprises even the most experienced palates. Those who have tasted it describe notes of honey and earth, with smooth nuances that evoke the natural origin of the main ingredient and the rural landscape of Santander.
This proposal was born as a way to reinterpret tradition without replacing it. While toasted hormiga culona maintains its place as a gastronomic symbol, the wine seeks to expand the possibilities of consumption and presentation, bringing the product closer to audiences interested in fine dining, experimental gastronomy, and craft beverages.
Unlike traditional consumption — associated with fairs, local celebrations, and popular markets — the wine introduces a contemporary narrative: The transformation of an ancestral food into a sophisticated sensory experience, meant to be slowly savored.
Sao Moro and the commitment to Santander’s identity
One of the most prominent projects behind this creation is Sao Moro, an initiative led by local producers whose goal is to showcase the gastronomic richness of Santander both within Colombia and abroad. For its creators, hormiga culona wine is not just a beverage, but a cultural statement.
The project aims to internationalize a regional symbol without stripping it of its context. In this sense, the drink is presented as a gateway to the region’s history, biodiversity, and ancestral knowledge.
A product with tourism and cultural potential
Beyond its uniqueness, hormiga culona wine has become an attraction for gastronomic tourism, a growing sector that seeks authentic and unconventional experiences. For many visitors, tasting this beverage represents a direct way to connect with Colombian identity through flavor.
However, its production remains limited and artisanal, which means it is not easily found in large retail stores. It is generally available at gastronomic fairs, cultural events, or specialized establishments in the department of Santander.