What are Peru Customs and food?

Question

What are Peru Customs and food?

Answer 1

Food - Peru is considered by many to have the best food in the world.

Anticuchos - sliced beef heart, marinated and cooked shishkabob style over an open flame with roasted potato and corn.

Aji de Gallina - a spicy sauce with chicken served with rice, potatoes and olives.

Ceviche - raw fish, marinated in lime juice and spices, served with thin sliced onion.

Roast Cuy - oven roasted guinea pig.

Pollo a la braza - rotisserie style chicken

Chicharron - sandwich with seasoned, deep fried pork, piled with fried sweet potato and thinly sliced onion.

Answer 2

In addition to what the other responders have said, I would like to bring your attention to the andean custom of offering to Pacha Mama (Mother Earth). Before one takes the first sip of a drink (any drink including water but especially a soft drink or alcoholic beverage), one pours a little on the ground or dips ones' finger in it and sprinlkes it as an offering to Pacha Mama. You may not find this practice among the upper classes but t is widespread among the indigenous people. Observe it and make a note. It is wonderful to see.

Also be aware of the role that Coca plays in the Andean culture. Revered as Mama Coca, she is used as a medium that facilitates social intercourse (hallpay) and communication with the mountain deities or Apus (phukuy). Coca has many nutritive and health benefits. As a tea and candy it is widely used to help people overcome altitude sickness. Have a wonderful trip.

Answer 3

I'm going to assume that you're traveling there and not just doing research for a class...

I spent 5 weeks (mostly in Cuzco) studying this past summer.  Peru is such a diverse place that it really depends on where you are. In Cuzco, there was a huge native influence from the Quechua. Customs were typically religiously oriented.  I was there for their independence day as well.

One thing that seems to be common throughout Peru is a lack of personal space.  It was a little unnerving at first but I got used to it

Regarding food, wikipedia does a decent job of covering the diversity. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peruvian_cu...  If you decide to try ceviche (raw fish marinated in lime juice and chilis), which I recommend you do, make sure you do it in a less-than-sketchy place.  I don't recommend buying food from street vendors, but also don't limit your experience too much because you're afraid of getting sick. I think everyone in my program had some sort of digestive problem at one point or another.  Be prepared for that.

I hope I helped in some way.  It's a great country with amazing people!

Answer 4

As in other Latin American country, personalismo is key to conducting business.  While you meet over a meal to discuss business, it's to get to know the person.  If they really like you, you might even be invited to someone's home for dinner, and it would be a late dinner, maybe 8pm.  You discuss your family, your hobbies, then you'll get to business later.

There is also the siesta in the pm where businesses close for lunch and open mid afternoon.

Hmmm....ceviche is my favorite but I wouldn't get it just anywhere.  And even then, I'd take my amoxycillin with me, just in case I have any symptons.

Inka cola is from there.