Jibarito de la Cajita in Sabrosía, by Metro Puerto Rico
From the Boricua table to your hands.
Journalist Lynet Santiago Túa, from the Sabrosía section of Metro Puerto Rico, spoke with Joel Ocasio, one of the creators of Jibarito de la Cajita, about how pan sobao, mofongo with mayoketchup, and pasteles went from our table to become characters that awaken memories and conversations.
A collection that has no age
It all started with stories and plush toys for the little ones. Over time, those who grew up with us changed their interests, and that is how the collectible vinyl figures and Borinquean Prints of the colmado and the piragüero were born, to assemble and paint. Thus, children, young people, parents, and grandparents can create together and share their own memories of the neighborhood.
From stories to cultural experiences
Jibarito de la Cajita was born in 2020, during the pandemic, with a first character and its story. In the first two weeks, orders reached all 50 U.S. states. Since then, we have learned that a character gains more value when it comes with a story.
That is why the rooster and Don Coquí make sounds, the parrot says 15 Boricua phrases, and the cucubano glows in the dark. Don Coquí's story is available in Spanish and English, also designed for families who keep their roots alive outside the island.
Gastronomy, art, and shared memories
With Época de Encantos come new characters inspired by pan sobao, mofongo, and bacalaíto, which join the Yuca and Masa pasteles. Each creation can take around 18 months to develop, with a Puerto Rican creative team.
Our goal is for each person to see themselves in what they create, and for those who live far away to be able to order their little piece of Puerto Rico in our online store and receive it by mail.
