Peruvian Cuisine |
From the rich textures of history come the aromatic flavors of modern Peruvian Cuisine. A short history overview will illustrate where the taste bud tempting food tastes and displays come from.
The Incas started it off by domesticating over 1000 varieties of tuber. Among these were potato and sweet potato. Along with potatoes, the Incas dined primarily on quinoa, corn, alpaca (meat) and cuy (a native guinea pig). Many of their recipes have stood the test of 500 years and today their traditional dishes such as carapulca and pachamanca are still being served.
When the Spanish arrived they brought with them beef and dairy products, chicken, rice, olives and grapes. As the new rulers of the country they had a strong influence on the way the food was to be prepared, as well as the recipes they preferred. The fusion of the native and Spanish dishes successfully fused in the Creole culture and gave us such as aji de gallina or papa a la huancaina containing hot peppers, cheese and milk blended in a variety of sauces.
With the Spanish came their African slaves who knew how to put together dishes from inferior produce. This led to two of Peru’s best dishes: anticuchos and tacu-tacu. The Africans also brought with them a unique music which complimented the food and made the whole culinary experience a thoroughly enjoyable one.
Travelers and immigrants from Europe also brought their particular touch to Peru’s already fabulous food, but it was the Chinese and Japanese that had the next significant impact on the cuisine of Peru. The Chinese introduced new frying techniques and the use of soy and ginger, producing the Peruvian classic, lomo saltado. The Japanese reintroduced fish and seafood dishes and recreated the dishes ceviche and tiradito to become the wonderful dishes known today.
Although Peruvian cuisine was until fairly recently unknown to the Western world, more and more prominent chefs have started studying and serving the dishes, winning admirers for the country’s wonderful recipes. Delectable, delicious and delightful, Peruvian cuisine is a must-taste.