Peruvian Cuisine

Peruvian Cuisine
Mistura 2009 – Peruvian cuisine at its finest

Mistura 2009 – Peruvian cuisine at its finest

The second edition of this gastronomy fair was beyond all expectations.

If you were in Lima from Thursday, Sept. 24 to Sunday, Sept. 27, and you were not informed about Mistura, the gastronomy fair that brought together the most popular representatives of Peruvian cooking, then you lost an incredible opportunity to taste the most spectacular dishes from Peru in a single place.

Superfoods
Quinoa is the best-known of the “Inca grains”

Quinoa is the best-known of the “Inca grains”

Quinoa is the best-known of the “Inca grains” that have grown in popularity thanks to its high level of protein (between 12% and 18%) and other nutrients like magnesium, iron and phosphorous. It’s not strictly a grain, but a relative of spinach and Swiss chard, so it’s also gluten-free. Quinoa is popular among vegetarians and vegans for its protein kick, and is a kosher replacement for rice and wheat during Passover.

Peruvian Cuisine
Lucuma is a popular ingredient in many Peruvian desserts

Lucuma is a popular ingredient in many Peruvian desserts

Lúcuma is a fruit that is an enormously popular ingredient in Peruvian desserts, especially ice cream, with sales eclipsing more traditional flavors like chocolate and strawberry. Opening the fruit, the shape and large central stone are just like an avocado but with bright orange flesh. The fruit has a similar texture to cooked egg yolk, it’s dry and crumbling, and for that reason lúcuma is sometimes called “eggfruit” in English.

Superfoods
Maca is climbing the charts as a nutritional supplement

Maca is climbing the charts as a nutritional supplement

Maca is climbing the charts as a nutritional supplement and super food. It’s been called everything from “nature’s Viagra” to Peruvian ginseng, and when taken in powdered form it’s been shown to  increase libido, reduce the risk of prostate cancer and improve sperm count for men, and alleviate period pain and increase fertility for women. It does so without directly raising hormone levels

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