Fruit in Peru guide Blessed with extreme biodiversity and the three vastly different climate zones of the coast, highlands, and jungle, Peru is home to a myriad of fruits, some native, others exotic and rarely known in other regions of the world. A visit to any Peruvian market (perhaps during one of our wonderful culinary tours) is the perfect opportunity to see and try some of these special and unique fruits, and below is a guide to a few of our must-taste favorites. Aguaje Native to the Amazon regions of Peru, these palm fruits have a scaly, purplish and peelable skin that gives way to slightly acidic yellow pulp. We would highly suggest trying this fruit and other jungle fruits such as copoazu, cocona, guanabana and carambola as part of Chef Schiaffino’s innovative cocktails at the highly recommended Amaz restaurant. Aguaymanto A type of gooseberry, this sweet and tangy fruit has its roots in the Andes and is a powerful antioxidant. Perfect for sauces over fish or meat. Chirimoya Also native to the Andes and grown in higher altitude locations throughout Peru, the chirimoya, or custard apple, has delicious, creamy sherbet-like flesh - so tasty that even Mark Twain penned it “the most delicious fruit known to man.” Try this one on its own and slightly chilled or as an ice cream. Tumbo Also known as “banana passionfruit” because of its exterior resemblance to a banana, open up this fruit to reveal a cluster of pulp sacs with black seeds. Found typically in the Andean valleys of Peru, tumbo is very sour and therefore, most enjoyed in juices perhaps mixed with a little sugar. Lucuma Definitely a favorite throughout Peru and found on many dessert menus paired with chocolate, this creamy subtropical fruit is native to the country and was
Fruit in Peru guide Blessed with extreme biodiversity and the three vastly different climate zones of the coast, highlands, and jungle, Peru is home to a myriad of fruits, some native, others exotic and rarely known in other regions of the world. A visit to any Peruvian market (perhaps during…
Although Cusco receives a lot of attention for its rich history and archaeology, the same could not exactly be said for folk art in the city. The exhibition Cusco: Herencia y Tradicion (Cusco: Heritage and Tradition) sets to redress the balance as I found out at last night's inauguration at the Instituto Cultural Norteamericano Peruano. Curated by close friend and collaborator of Aracari Lisy Kuon, the exhibition displays a a wide collection of arte popular - or "folk art" - from the Cusco region over the last 500 years, most of which was produced in the last century. All of the pieces display the rich tradition of art in the region, demonstrating indigenous legacies, syncretism with colonial influences, and how these traditions have been incorporated into the psyche of local people, as expressed through day-to-day arts and craftwork. The pieces have been brought together from museums, universities and private collections - including those of more Aracari friends, notably Mari Solari of Las Pallas and specialist Lima insider John Alfredo Davis. "The exhibition is divided into three central themes," detailed Lisy, "The first, religion, as is seen in religious festivals and processions; the second, regarding objects of a magical character, propitiatory of Andean kindness; and, the third, objects of every day use. "Through the past and up until the present day, the artists of the Cusco region have shown a world of sensibilities, materilised in various forms and expressions as presented through folk art. In this selection we see expressions that have allowed the preservation of fundamental Andean traditions, reinvented throughout the centuries and acquiring new vitality and new meanings in modern times ." The objects on display are a treasure trove of trinkets, adornments and objects hailing from across the Cusco region. I was particularly impressed with the pieces related to the Corpus Christi
Although Cusco receives a lot of attention for its rich history and archaeology, the same could not exactly be said for folk art in the city. The exhibition Cusco: Herencia y Tradicion (Cusco: Heritage and Tradition) sets to redress the balance as I found out at last night’s inauguration at…
We're thrilled to reveal that Marisol Mosquera has today been announced on Condé Nast Traveler's list of the World's Top Travel Specialists, she is listed for both Peru and Bolivia. This is the 5th year in a row that Aracari's founder and director appears on the prestigious publication as a travel specialist for Peru and the third time for Bolivia. The list is very aptly billed as "Wendy Perrin's Annual List of the Pros to Turn to When a Trip Has to Be Perfect". With decades of experience, Perrin screens and selects the finest travel specialists from thousands of aspirants from across the globe, this year whittling the shortlist down to just 146 specialists worldwide. We're all delighted that Marisol has been recognised for her efforts, which so far this year have included specially designing trips for families, extensive coverage in the media and promoting the best of travel in Peru across the world amongst other endeavours. Citing her criteria for selecting specialists, Perrin states "The custom trip designers collected here represent the best blend of destination knowledge, insider connections, consumer advocacy, and value for your dollar that I've found in more than two decades of scrutinizing the travel industry for this magazine. They have the expertise and clout to get you the rooms with the best views and the savviest English-speaking guides, not to mention VIP perks." For a full explanation of criteria used to select specialists, full details of when to use a specialist and to view the full listings for 2013 please visit the following page: The Top Travel Agents and Tour Operators of 2013.
We’re thrilled to reveal that Marisol Mosquera has today been announced on Condé Nast Traveler’s list of the World’s Top Travel Specialists, she is listed for both Peru and Bolivia. This is the 5th year in a row that Aracari’s founder and director appears on the prestigious publication as a…
Each year, Summum honors the best restaurants in Peru as well as individuals who have made significant contributions. Their assessment is largely based on a survey conducted among connoisseurs in gastronomy, gourmands, and industry representatives. The ceremony was held last evening at the MAC Museum in Barranco, and for the second year counting, Virgilio Martinez's Central took home the gold, earning the accolade of Peru's Best Restaurant. Also occupying the "pantheon of Peruvian cuisine" was Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino's Amaz, the night's winner in the Best New Restaurant category. Below you will find the complete list of winners by category, featuring several of Aracari's most highly recommended restaurants: Winners by Category: Best Restaurant Central (Santa Isabel 376, Miraflores) Meats and Grills El Hornero (Malecón Grau 983, Chorrillos) Chinese Food Titi (Javier Prado Este 1212, San Isidro) Italian Food Symposium (Santa Luisa 122, San Isidro) Japanese Food Maido (San Martín 399, Miraflores) Nikkei Food Costanera 700 (Manuel Tovar 179, Miraflores) Mediterranean Food Rafael (Calle San Martín 300, Miraflores) Traditional Peruvian Food Fiesta Chiclayo Gourmet (Reducto 1276, Miraflores) Contemporary Peruvian Food Astrid & Gastón (Cantuarias 175, Miraflores) Regional Food Fiesta Chiclayo Gourmet (Reducto 1276, Miraflores) Fish and Seafood Costanera 700 (Manuel Tovar 179, Miraflores) Best Hotel Restaurant Maras (Westin, Amador Merino Reyna s/n, San Isidro) Best Pisco Sour Bar Ingles (Country Club, Los Eucaliptos 590, San Isidro) Best Wine List Central (Santa Isabel 376, Miraflores) Best New Restaurant Amaz (Av. La Paz 1079, Miraflores) Best Café La Bonbonniere (Calle Burgos 415, San Isidro) Best Somelier José Miguel Burga, Central (Santa Isabel 376, Miraflores) Best Host Ronald Rodríguez, Astrid & Gastón (Cantuarias 175, Miraflores) Best Waiter Raul Nicacio, Wa Lok Find out how you can incorporate some of these incredible restaurants in a culinary trip of Peru by contacting Aracari for more information.
Each year, Summum honors the best restaurants in Peru as well as individuals who have made significant contributions. Their assessment is largely based on a survey conducted among connoisseurs in gastronomy, gourmands, and industry representatives. The ceremony was held last evening at the MAC Museum in Barranco, and for the…
Amongst the most bio diverse regions of the planet, the Western Amazon rainforest and the corridor of national parks between Peru, Bolivia and Brazil offer an unrivalled experience for the adventurous traveller and anyone with an interest in nature and wildlife. In parks such as Manu, Tambopata and Madidi, it is not only possible to witness the diverse flora and fauna of the rainforest, but to experience raw, unfettered wilderness in what is still a relatively isolated part of the planet. In 2013, this may well all be in the process of changing. The Interoceanic Highway, a network of roughly 2,600 kilometres of road stretching between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean - and traversing directly through the rainforest in southern Peru - for the first time directly connects booming industrial cities in Brazil to ports on Peru’s south coast. It is hoped that this grand project will not only ease the trade of commodities between the two South American nations, but also give Brazilian manufacturers and producers more direct access to Asian markets. Photos from www.southamericanpictures.com Aside from the fact that the road has been a remarkable feat of engineering, there is wide support for the highway locally in Peru. The economic benefits of being directly connected to the giant Brazil are widely lauded; more money is arriving with investment in regions of the southern Peruvian Amazon, improving the quality of people’s lives. I recently visited the town of Puerto Maldonado, one of the main transition points of the highway. The local people that we talked to were generally excited about the new influence from Brazil, listening to popular music from their Amazonian neighbours and sporting the latest fashions from Brazilian clothes manufacturers. For others, as portrayed in an article in the Wall Street Journal last week, the highway presents exciting
Amongst the most bio diverse regions of the planet, the Western Amazon rainforest and the corridor of national parks between Peru, Bolivia and Brazil offer an unrivalled experience for the adventurous traveller and anyone with an interest in nature and wildlife. In parks such as Manu, Tambopata and Madidi, it…
Since its launch in London in 2012, Martin Morales's restaurant Ceviche has been receiving rave reviews and is a catalyst behind the international buzz surrounding Peruvian cuisine. Just last year, our very own Aracari team member Simon visited the restaurant and felt that Morales “has done a remarkable job of bringing authentic Peruvian food to the UK.” And what better way to continue sharing the beauty of Peruvian cuisine than with a brand new cookbook allowing readers to have a taste of Peru in the comfort of their own kitchens. Released yesterday, Ceviche: Peruvian Kitchen, a 250-page book, features over a hundred recipes, beautiful photographs, stories about the history of his restaurant Ceviche and Peruvian food in general, and more. From some of the restaurant’s signature plates to authentic and traditional Peruvian dishes, Morales’s book showcases the variety of what Peru has to offer and makes for the perfect addition to a kitchen cookbook collection or perhaps just a book for your coffee table. Check out this video for more information about the book... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9E19nTGhlQ In support of the release of the book, Morales and his team will take to the road, traveling around the UK presenting it at food, book, music, arts and literary fairs and festivals, doing shows and demos, and even setting up a “pop-up” restaurant experience in ten different cities. Partnering with some of the best restaurants in the UK, Morales will be taking over their kitchens, offering a class on ceviche making, followed by a three-course meal featuring dishes from the brand new cookbook. Ceviche: Peruvian Kitchen is now available for purchase on Amazon and the iBookstore. Check it out and create a taste of Peru at home!
Since its launch in London in 2012, Martin Morales’s restaurant Ceviche has been receiving rave reviews and is a catalyst behind the international buzz surrounding Peruvian cuisine. Just last year, our very own Aracari team member Simon visited the restaurant and felt that Morales “has done a remarkable job of bringing…
