Peruvian

by: Alpha Thessa Lika R. M. B. B. (F1021131090)

After indulging ourselves with the delicacies of Colombian dishes, now we are ready to move to the neighboring country: Peru. Being a large populated country in the South America, Peru is famous for its local dishes. Decades of immigration and Spanish occupation has brought rich cultural diversity into the country which is currently populated by many different ethnic groups. This diversity gave birth to the various kind of traditional foods and beverages which often carry traces of traditional cuisines from the homelands of the immigrants that came to Peru. The strong blend of worldwide cuisines with the ones from local indigenous Indians has made Peruvian cuisine one of the best fusion cuisines in the world.

Papa a la huancaína

The greatness of Peruvian cuisine is perhaps best exemplified by Papa a la huancaína (literally, Huancayo style potatoes) which are one of the most popular foods served in Peruvian restaurants. It's a salad made of boiled potatoes which and creamy cheese sauce, which are often served along with lettuce leaves and garnished with olives and corn kernels. Being cheap to make and often favored by local chefs, Papa a la huancaína is popular among all classes of society in Peru, usually as food to take on picnics and trips.

Feralbt / Wikimedia Commons 

Papa a la huancaína, a popular dish among the Peruvians.

  Chicha Morada

 

While Peruvian foods are popular around the world, the beverages from Peru are also comparable to the foods. The local vegetation of Peru contributes to the uniqueness of drinks that are often found across the country. Take Chicha Morada for example. It is a very popular traditional local drink made from boiled purple maize, cloves, cinnamon, sugar and ice. The purple color it has comes from the purple maize used to make the beverage. Consumption of Chicha Morada dates back to the pre-colonial era of Peru, prior to the founding of infamous Inca Empire. Perhaps its fame in Peru is comparable to the popularity of traditional drinks such as iced tea in Asia.

Dangarcia / Wikimedia Commons

The Chicha Morada, a traditional drink that has been consumed since the dawn of Inca Empire.

Sources:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peruvian_cuisine