We are delighted to welcome Santana Rodriguez, owner of Qouign Pastries, to the Aptos Farmers Market.
While some of our customers may already know Santana from her time at the Monterey Farmers Market, she is newly joining the Aptos community — and the excitement goes both ways.
“I had such a wonderful time at the Aptos Farmers Market this past weekend,” Santana shared with a radiant smile. “Everyone was so friendly, kind, and supportive. And it’s such a high-quality market with exceptional locally grown produce.”
That appreciation for farmers runs deep. Santana feels a strong connection to the agricultural community — her grandfather was a farm worker — and she carries with her a profound respect for what the earth provides. It’s a perspective that shapes not only her sourcing, but the spirit behind her work.
And what work it is.
Extraordinary Chocolates, Crafted with Intention
At Santana’s booth, you will find artisan chocolates that are as beautiful as they are exquisitely executed. Each piece is meticulously crafted, hand-finished, and thoughtfully flavored.
Her current offerings include:
- 70% dark chocolate bars
- Salted caramel bon bons
- Cherry dark chocolate bon bons
- Her famous Dubai big bars — filled with pistachio butter and crispy kataifi
- Drinking Chocolate
The Dubai bar, if you haven’t yet encountered one, is a marvel of texture: silky dark chocolate encasing a nutty pistachio center and delicate crunch.
But beyond flavor, Santana’s chocolates carry story and meaning.
One of her personal favorites is her drinking chocolate, made from imported Mexican chocolate from Chiapas. She grinds it into powder and blends it with ancho chili powder for a smoky note, cinnamon, and cocoa. Mexican chocolate, she explains, was historically used in ceremonial practices — considered “the drink of the Gods,” symbolizing life and the blood of the earth.
Unlike modern sweet hot chocolate, Santana envisions this beverage as something to be enjoyed slowly and meditatively — perhaps with music, prayer, or in community. It is her way of honoring her culture while blending past and future.
Food, for Santana, is never just food.
A Rotation of Pastries
In addition to chocolates, Santana offers a rotating selection of pastries at the market. Depending on the week, you may find:
- Gluten-free Basque cheesecakes
- Heart-shaped brownies finished with glossy ganache and sprinkles
- Macarons in seasonal flavors
Her booth changes with the seasons, with ingredients often sourced directly from fellow farmers market vendors. Seasonal produce and local honey find their way into fillings, infusions, and flavor combinations.
The Baker’s Heart
During our visit, I asked Santana what she most loves to bake.
Her answer surprised me.
“Bread,” she said without hesitation. “Simply a loaf of bread. There’s something that is so deeply satisfying about its simplicity — and something that every culture shares.”
We both laughed when I had to step away briefly to turn off my own oven timer — I was baking bread that very morning.
That shared moment felt fitting. Beneath the glossy ganache and jewel-like bon bons is a baker who understands the quiet power of flour, water, and time.
From Elite Kitchens to the Farmers Market
Santana’s path has included time in respected kitchens throughout California and beyond, and she launched her business during the uncertainty of the pandemic — an act of resilience and courage.
Today, she operates without a brick-and-mortar storefront, choosing instead to meet customers where community thrives: at the farmers markets.
You can find Santana at:
- Friday Monterey Farmers Market at Del Monte Shopping Center
- Saturday Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College
Her website is currently under development, but Valentine’s Day orders (or everyday indulgences!) can be arranged directly by phone or via Instagram.
A Sweet Addition to Our Community
What stands out most about Santana is not just her technical precision — though her chocolates are flawless — but her humility and gratitude.
She spoke with genuine warmth about joining the Aptos market and about the farmers whose ingredients inspire her creations.
We hope you will stop by her booth, introduce yourself, and taste what she has to offer. Whether you are drawn to a bold bon bon, a Basque cheesecake, or a ceremonial-style drinking chocolate, you will find something crafted with care, intention, and joy.
Welcome to Aptos, Santana. We are so glad you’re here.
You can find Santana each Saturday at the Aptos Farmers Market and on Fridays in Monterey. Her website is currently under development, but if you’d like to place a special order — whether for Valentine’s Day or simply to treat yourself — you can reach her directly at 831.293.4785, or email at quoignpastries@gmail.com. Be sure to her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/qouignpastries for updates and seasonal offerings.
We hope you’ll stop by her booth, say hello, and taste the sweetness she brings to our market community.
