Visit the potato fields of Manuel Choqque
Step into the Peruvian highlands to meet Manuel Choqque, the visionary agronomist behind 300+ rare potatoes. Explore his mountain farm, taste vivid heirloom varieties, Oxalis wine and fiery uchucuta—ingredients coveted by the world’s greatest chefs.
Area
Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Type
Community & Culture
Food & Drink
Born in Cusco, agricultural engineer Manuel Choqque is recognised by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants as one of the talents shaping the future of gastronomy. Working at the confluence of science, sustainability and culinary heritage, he has devoted his career to safeguarding Peru’s extraordinary agricultural biodiversity through the study, preservation and genetic improvement of native Andean potatoes.
Over the past decade, he has catalogued and revitalised more than 300 endangered varieties, many once on the brink of extinction. By blending ancestral farming wisdom with modern agronomy, he enhances resilience, yield and flavour, transforming his high-altitude fields into a living seed bank and research centre. These rare potatoes are now sought after by some of the world’s most celebrated chefs, including Virgilio Martínez of Central in Lima.
Beyond the laboratory and the field, Choqque works closely with farming communities across the Andes, helping to reintroduce forgotten crops, support sustainable livelihoods and strengthen local food systems, ensuring that traditional knowledge continues to flourish alongside innovation.
A visit to his family farm offers rare insight into this remarkable work, with tastings that reveal the remarkable diversity of Andean potatoes and their role in contemporary cuisine. Highlights include Oxalis, a wine crafted from native tubers, and uchucuta, the classic spicy sauce traditionally paired with potatoes.
Set against the vast, dramatic landscapes of the Peruvian highlands, this is an intimate and inspiring encounter with a man quietly redefining how ancient ingredients shape the modern table.
Recommended Hotels Nearby
A selection of luxury hotel options in the area, handpicked and recommended by our travel specialists.
More Experiences in This Area
Discover more things to do in the area and chat to our specialists about crafting these experiences into your tailor-made holiday.
Call us on +852 3579 2478 to start planning