January 2024
Once inconspicuous, Peruvian cuisine has become a source of national pride that awarded Peru the label of “gastronomic capital of the Americas,” according to Bon Appetit. Food connoisseurs unanimously agree that the recent surge in the popularity of Peruvian food was long overdue. Driven by the country's extensive history, impressive biodiversity, and, perhaps most importantly, the wide range of foreign influences, Peruvians have expertly fused into their own creations.
Yet when compared to French, Chinese, and Italian cuisines, which enjoy tremendous popularity across the US, high-quality Peruvian food still remains out of reach for most Americans. At OTG, we’re aiming to change that. We’ve partnered with esteemed Peruvian chef and restaurateur Gastón Acurio, the global ambassador of Peruvian food, in an effort to develop a series of new restaurants in cities across the country. In this blog, we explain what makes the food of Peru so special.
A Tapestry of Culinary Heritage
Over the course of 400 years, Peru became a melting pot of eclectic flavors, ingredients, and techniques.
As far back as historians can see, the indigenous peoples of Peru had a diverse diet that consisted of a variety of vegetables, grains, and meat, including llama, guinea pig, and alpaca. Potatoes and corn were also important staples in indigenous diets, and sophisticated farming techniques were developed to cultivate and preserve crops.
With the violent arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century and the demise of the Incan empire, new ingredients like beef, chicken, and pork were introduced, coupled with European cooking techniques. The Spanish colonizers were primarily Catholics, but also Jews and Muslims who fled the Inquisition and brought their own Sephardic and Arabic Mediterranean traditions to the region. As European diseases spread to the indigenous populations in Peru, the Spanish also brought in West African slaves who, in turn, brought African Creole methods into the culinary landscape. In the following centuries, Chinese and Japanese immigrants arrived in Peru en masse with staple ingredients like soy sauce, ginger, and rice, as well as techniques like stir-frying and deep-frying. These Asian influences are most evident in contemporary Peruvian dishes like lomo saltado, a stir-fry made with beef, onions, tomatoes, and french fries.
Exploring the Eclectic Flavors of Peru
The incredible diversity of Peruvian food is also a product of Peru’s three distinct geographies: the coast flanked by the Pacific Ocean, the Andes Mountain Range, and the Amazon Basin. In the coastal region, seafood is the featured ingredient, and iconic dishes like ceviche and tiradito are popular. In the Andean region, quinoa, corn, and potato are prolific due to their resiliency in harsher climates, and dishes like pachamanca (meat and vegetables cooked in an underground oven) and rocoto relleno (stuffed spicy peppers) are common. In the Amazonian region, ingredients like yuca, plantains, and tropical fruits are used in dishes like tacacho (mashed plantains) and juanes (rice and chicken wrapped in a banana leaf).
The Global Rise and Allure of Peruvian Cuisine
Peruvian cuisine has gained tremendous popularity in recent years, with restaurants serving up classic dishes and innovative new takes on traditional recipes. Peruvian chefs like Gastón Acurio have gained international recognition for their innovative and creative dishes. Gastón and others have been monumental in helping raise the profile of Peruvian cuisine and showcasing its diverse flavors and ingredients. The rise of food tourism has led to more people discovering and exploring Peru through the lens of cuisine.
Whether you're trying classic dishes like ceviche or exploring new flavors and ingredients, Peruvian food is a culinary adventure that should not be missed. With its rich history, incredible diversity, and rising popularity, investing alongside OTG and Acurio Restaurants is an opportunity to introduce more people to the excellence of Peruvian cuisine and capitalize on the growing demand for this culinary delight.
