How did Peru get its name?

Garcilaso de la Vega, was the first one to shed light of how Peru got its name.  Vega was born, the son of a Spanish conquistador and an Incan princess, in 1539.  He was one of the first to write detailed accounts of the Incas and Spanish conquests in Peru.  His book was published in 1609, was called, The Royal Commentaries of the Incas.

The story goes that in 1513, Spaniard Vasco Nunez de Balboa discovered the South Sea.  He spotted a native Indian who was quietly fishing at the mouth of an estuary.  His crew captured the native and hauled him aboard the boat.  After finally calming him down, the Spanish attempted to ask him questions about the unknown land.  Scared and confused but wanting to please his captors, he blurted out the word Beru, which was actually his name.  He then blurted out a second word, Pelu, which means, “river” in the Inca language.  The Spanish combined the two words to create what we know the country to be called today; Peru.  (The Incas and natives knew their country as Ttahuatin-Suya, meaning, “the four-quarters of the world.”)

Where is Peru Located?

Peru is located on the western border of South America.  Her neighbors are Ecuador and Columbia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, Chile to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the west.  It is the third largest country on the continent, behind Argentina and Brazil.  Lima is the capital city and its main economic hub.

Peru has enormous biodiversity, with ninety distinct microclimates.  It is listed among the ten most biodiverse countries in the world.  The coastal plain, (costa) is a narrow strip of desert land that runs the length of the country.  There is an upland region, (sierra) the highland, which includes the very high mountain ranges of the Andes, as well as gorges and deep valleys.  There are many rivers that are born in the Andes and descend to the Pacific, allowing for irrigation to serve a very arid region.  The east is home to the tropical Amazon basin’s rain forest, jungle (selva), and the Amazon River.  Lake Titicaca, lies between Peru and Bolivia and is the largest lake in all of South America.  It is also the highest in altitude, navigable lake in all the world.  In Andean belief, Lake Titicaca is the birthplace of the sun.  Its waters are renowned for stillness and bright reflections.  Jacques Cousteau discovered ruins of an ancient city under the lake’s surface, He also discovered the descendants of the Quechua people, who still live on the islands today.

A Brief History of Peru

Peru has an ancient history, stemming from various tribal groups that lived there.  In the 12^th century, the small city state of Cuzco was formed by the Killkes tribe.  This began the formidable era of the Incan Empire.  Over the next several hundred years, the Incas managed to conquer not only Peru but also parts of Ecuador, Bolivia and northern Chile.  They had a highly developed civilization when the Spanish arrived there in 1531.  Spanish conquistador, Francisco Pizarro, conquered and captured Cuzco in 1533.  Peru was a great source of wealth and power for the Spanish, mostly from the gold and silver discovered in the Andes Mountains.  In 1535, Pizarro established Lima as the capital of Peru, which remains so today.  With the help of others, from Bolivia and Venezuela, Peru was able to defeat the Spanish and become a free country in 1821, when they declared their independence.

Like many newly independent countries, Peru went through a difficult time with coups, dictatorships, military rule and wars with guerilla groups fighting against the government.  In recent history, Alberto Fujimori, won three consecutive terms, despite being accused of fraud.  He then stunned the nation when he resigned during a trip to Japan.  Revelations that Fujimori secretly held Japanese citizenship outraged the populace, since he could not be extradited to face corruption charges.  Eventually he ended up in Chile to pursue his political ambitions.  There he was arrested and sentenced to 25 years in prison.  He was recently pardoned, after serving only 12 years, as he is suffering from cancer.  The pardon caused outrage, once again.  Despite Fujimori’s crimes against humanity, he did some good things for the economy, which continues to thrive.  Their economy is dependent on its many commodities, but prices do fluctuate with the world markets.  They are the world’s second largest producer of silver and copper. They are the sixth largest producer of gold; mining 162 tons of gold a year.  Peru’s coastal waters provide for excellent fishing grounds.  Fish and agriculture are very important to their growing economy, as are minerals and natural resources.  Tourism continues to contribute more than ever to this nation’s economic growth.

Peruvian Culture

With more than 10,000 years of history, Peru is filled with a great wealth of culture and tradition.  As the oldest civilization in South America, Peru is home to many riches.  Peruvians fully recognize the importance today of their heritage and the value the Andes and the Amazon offer in natural resources and ancient traditions.

Spanish is the official language, along with Quechua and Aymara.  There are 45 other native languages that are spoken as well.  Catholicism is the predominant religion in Peru and is very important in the lives of Peruvians.  Yet they exist peacefully alongside other belief systems including indigenous beliefs, with shamans and medicine men playing important roles.

The coca plant (the same one used to make cocaine) has been used for thousands of years in the Andean world.  It is used for its medicinal properties and religious significance.  Coca leaves, which are brewed in tea, are particularly effective against altitude sickness, which is helpful at high elevations.

Since pre-Hispanic times, music and dance have played vital roles in Peruvian society.  Ancient Peruvians used seashells and reeds, along with animal bones, to produce sounds.  Weaving is another prominent art form in Peru.  It is believed that every form of weaving known today, was invented by the Peruvians.  It is estimated it takes somewhere between 500 to 600 hours to spin, dye and weave a traditional poncho.  They are typically given as gifts to one who enters adulthood and it is expected to last them a lifetime.

In Cuzco, Peruvian history is displayed in the architecture.  Here you will find Spanish, colonial style churches and dwellings built directly on top of their old Incan stone temples.

Why Visit Peru?

Peru, being home to amazing biodiversity, is one of the most unique and colorful places to visit on the planet.  Peru has 25,000 plant species, it ranks first in the world in distinct fish species, second for species of birds and third for amphibians and mammals.  It is home to 12 UNESCO world heritage sites, including the famous Machu Picchu that was recently deemed one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.  It was uncovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham and today displays the pride and complexity of the ancient Inca civilization as one of the most popular tourist destinations. The stone work, masterfully constructed to be seismically stable, is one of the mysteries of this ancient site.

Peru is also home to numerous natural wonders, including Rainbow Mountain and the Painted Hills, where mineral deposits color the landscape like a rainbow. The Cerro Blanco sand dune, located in the south of Peru, is the highest in the world.  Peru’s Nazca Lines, are a collection of more than 70, giant, human and animal geoglyphs.  There are 10,000 lines, some of them are up to 30 miles long and it remains one of the world’s biggest, archeological mysteries that was never even discovered until man took flight.  The Andes, the beautiful coastlines, deserts, the Amazon basin and rivers, and Lake Titicaca are all great reasons to visit Peru.  However, it may just be worth a visit there for the gastronomy alone; it is one of the best cuisines in all the world.

Peruvian Cuisine

The diversity of Peru’s agricultural production comes from its microclimates and varied geography.  Peru’s multiple cultures along with the brilliance of her chefs, have enriched the cuisine to the point of it being recognized as one of the best in the world.  Gastronomy has become such an important element in the lives of Peruvians, it is part of the national identity.  The cuisine of Peru is both ancient and modern.  It is a fusion of the indigenous population along with contributions of immigrants from Europe, (mainly Spain, Italy and Germany), Asia (China and Japan) and West Africa.   Imagine a cuisine where there are the over 3800 varieties of potatoes.  Corn is available in every color, shape and size, along with rich grains, like quinoa.  We certainly can’t forget the abundant seafood, especially their amazing ceviche, available all along the coast.  High in the Andean region, cuy (guinea pig) and alpaca, are popular sources of meat.  It is, however, the native aji chilies, pureed into amazing sauces, that just might be their most delicious contribution.  The flavors of Peruvian cuisine are bold, rich, and spicy.  Yet they can be subtle and complex, as well.  You will certainly want to enjoy the amazing flavors of this cuisine with their famous pisco sour; Peru’s national drink.

So let’s enjoy a Peruvian Meal:

The Menu

Starter

Peruvian Ceviche (Peru’s National Dish)

Main Dish

Split Roasted Chicken (Pollo a la Brasa)

Served with

Two Peruvian Sauces ( Aji Verde & Aji de Huacatay)

Dessert

Caramel Meringue Parfait (Suspiro de Limena)

We set the scene with the colors of the flag; red and white.  We placed dolls, hand crafted by natives, to represent the Incan empire, a photo of the magnificent Machu Picchu, a yellow aji pepper, silver and gold coins to represent their wealth, potatoes, a rope, with knots, representing the ancient system of record keeping, called quipus, a penguin statue (yes they have penguins in Peru), and palm fronds to represent the Amazon rain forest.  Finally, a soccer ball was added, as it is their national sport.

Our first course was ceviche; the national dish of Peru.  Ceviche is so loved and is part of its national heritage.  It actually has its own holiday on June 28^th of each year.  This ceviche was one of the best we have ever had.  It was unique in that, besides the delectable seabass, it had sweet potatoes and giant kernels of toasted corn.  It was flavored with aji peppers, red onion and a citrusy flavored marinade, made with fresh lemon and lime.  The ceviche was served with the marinade, in the tradition of cevicherias and is called, leche de tigre or “tigers milk.”

For the main course we had their famous, pollo a la brasa.  This dish is loved in Peru but may be more famous in the USA.  It just may be the best chicken ever.  It was a split, roasted chicken, lightly seasoned with vinegar, cumin and pepper.  It was tender and succulent.  But it’s the sauces, for which the Peruvians are so famous, and into which you dip the bites of chicken, that make the dish.  The two sauces we had were, aji verde and aji de huacatay,  (which was my favorite.)  Both sauces are phenomenal and the dishes you can use them on are endless.  The aji verde is very common and flavored with aji paste, chilies, cilantro, lime, garlic, oil, cheese and mayo, all blended together.  The aji de huacatay is also made with cilantro, aji paste, garlic, and oil but has the addition of huacatay paste, which can be found in your Latin market.  Huacatay is a fresh herb, that tastes somewhere between basil and mint.  It is sometimes called black mint and is related to the marigold and tarragon families.  These sauces were off the charts, amazing.  We actually did not have a side dish, but potatoes, cooked anyway you like, would be a great accompaniment  and totally authentic.

For dessert we enjoyed suspiro de limena, which is a caramel meringue, parfait that is exceptionally sweet and delicious.  The name of the dessert, literally translated means, “the sigh of a Lima lady.”  I think that pretty much sums it up.

After our feast, we took our pisco sours, (made with Peruvian pisco, as the base liquor and lime, which makes up the sour, along with bitters, egg whites and a simple syrup,) to enjoy, as we watched Wild Peru, by National Geographic.  This film highlights the amazing biodiversity of the land and sea of Peru.  Did you know you can swim with pink dolphins there?  By the way, Peru also has a national holiday, in honor of the cocktail, pisco sour, which happens the first Saturday of every February.

I leave you with my favorite Peruvian Proverb:

“It is better to prevent than cure.”

Until next time

Warmest regards,

Darlene Longacre

Craving even more?  Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world so you don’t miss a thing,  it’s free,  You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.

How did Paraguay get its name?

There are many theories as to how Paraguay got its name, but the most compelling one comes from the Guarani language and the river that shares the same name.  In the Guarani language, para (ocean) and gua (to or from) y (water/river).  Put all those together and it means the “river that goes to the ocean” or “river that gives birth to the sea.”

Where is Paraguay located?

Paraguay’s nickname is “Corazon de Sudamerica,”  “The heart of South America.“  Its nickname is due to its location in the center of the South American continent.  It is a landlocked country that borders Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia.  It lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the country from north to south.  The capital city of Asuncion is located on the banks of the river, in the southwestern part of the country.  It is also part of the Triple Frontier, which has a tri-border area where the Igauzu and the Ptarana rivers converge.  In Paraguay, the city is called Cuidad Del Este, which is the closest city from which to see the magnificent Iguazu Falls, that makes up the largest waterfall system in the world.  Iguazu Falls is one of the new, natural Seven Wonders of the World.  The western region, known as Chaco, has 60 percent of the country’s land but only two percent of the population lives there.  The majority of the population lives within 100 miles of the capital city.

A Brief History of Paraguay

The original inhabitants of Paraguay were the Guarani people.  They were farmers.  The Spanish arrived in the 16^th century and founded the capital city of Asuncion in 1537.  Paraguay was one of the first to gain independence from Spain in 1811.  This was due mainly to its lack of precious ores.  Jose Gaspar Rodriguez Francis became the first of a long line of dictators that ruled the country.  In 1865, the war of the Triple Alliance began and was a total disaster for Paraguay.  The war was with Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay and lasted until 1870.  Nearly 2/3^rd’s of the male population were killed during this war and Paraguay lost much of its territory, including Iguazu Falls.

Another war broke out, called the Chaco War, from 1932-1935, in which Paraguay won against Bolivia, winning back some of its western territory.  Dictators ruled the land until 1989, when General Andres Rodriguez overthrew Stoessner, who was accused of torturing and murdering thousands of political opponents.  Rodriguez went on to win Paraguay’s first multi-candidate elections.  In 1992, Paraguay’s constitutional reforms finally gave equal rights to women. They were one of the last South American countries to give women the right to vote, in 1961.

Today, Paraguay is experiencing excellent economic growth and is considered to be much more stable, both politically and economically.  Unfortunately, however, the distribution of wealth is tragically unequal.  80% of the land is held by only 2.5% of the people, with 161 people controlling 90% of the country’s wealth.  It is estimated that half the population lives below the poverty line.

Paraguay, along with Brazil, built the largest dam in the world in 1984 (that is until China surpassed it in 2008.) Named the Itaipu Dam, it is used for hydro-electric power, which is a major export for the country.  The dam supplies 75% of Paraguay’s electricity.  Paraguay also exports sugarcane, soybeans, stevia, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava, fruits, vegetables, beef, pork, eggs, milk and timber.  Over half of Paraguayans work in agriculture and forestry.

Paraguayan Culture

As the Guarani were the primary occupants of Paraguay when the Spanish arrived, many of them took Guarani wives creating a mestizo culture, which is 95 percent of the population today.  Paraguay is one of the few countries in the world that kept their indigenous language as an official language, also called Guarani, along with Spanish.  Some speak Jopara which is a mix of the two.  The Guarani language is an onomatopoeic language, whereby many of its words, like its music, imitate the natural sounds of animals and the natural environment.

Jesuit missionaries established missions in Paraguay.  There are well preserved Jesuit ruins that date back to 1706, which have been named a UNESCO world heritage site and is the only site named in Paraguay.  The Spanish expelled the Jesuits from Paraguay in the mid 18^th century, for which Pope Francis recently issued an apology for the colonial era crimes committed. Today 88% of the population is Catholic, 8% protestant and the balance, indigenous beliefs.

The art of lace making called nanduti, is a prized craft.  It is a wheel based, lace form that originated in Portugal and Spain.  In fact, nanduti actually means “spider web.”  The Paraguayans have put their unique spin on the craft, adding palm leaf shapes to the design.  A festival is held in the town of Itaugua each July, where visitors can watch the lovely lace being made.

Music and dance are other examples of fusion between the Spanish and Guarani cultures.  In rural areas, people play instruments of the indigenous people, including flutes made from sugarcane and rattles made from gourds.  The early conquistadors brought the Spanish guitar and Spanish harp to Paraguay.  These two instruments remain prominent in the music of Paraguay.

The Paraguayans are known for a specific dance, in which they move with an impressive stack of bottles on top of their heads.  There is a vase dance as well, both of which are performed by women. A couple’s dance, known as the Paraguayan Polka, is danced in ballrooms, and on village dance floors, it was created in the 19^th century.

Why Visit Paraguay?

Paraguay is one of the least visited countries in South America, which is precisely why you should want to go.  The fact that it has never built up its tourist infrastructure, is its greatest charm.  This is truly a place where you can get off the beaten track and experience local life.  It is considered safe and the real joy is, the Paraguayan people, who are known to be exceptionally friendly and welcoming.  You will, however, want to have a Spanish/Guarani dictionary handy, as English is not widely spoken.  Buses are the main form of transportation for both locals and tourists alike.  Whether you go to visit the falls, the chaotic, but shopping friendly, city of Cuidad del Este, or to explore the unique flora and fauna that make up the country, there is plenty to see and do in this little known and often misunderstood country of Paraguay.

Paraguayan Food

As Paraguay is not a wealthy country, much of the culture revolves around family and simple pleasures.  You will see groups of people sitting around under the shade of a tree, drinking the traditional tea, such as a drink, called terere.  What yerba mate is to Argentina, terere is to Paraguay.  It is mate but with herbs and enjoyed cold, instead of hot.  You will see everyone carrying a thermos and a gourd with a straw, called a bombilla.

Sopa Paraguaya is considered to be the national dish and is often eaten daily.  Despite its name, it is more similar to a cornbread than a soup.  Chipas are found on nearly every street corner.  This is a cheese bread, made with cassava flour and is similar in texture to a bagel.  Empanadas, milanesa and asados, are also popular and enjoyed in Paraguay, just like with her neighbors.  Generally speaking, Paraguayan cuisine is typically South American.  Fish and meat stews and soups are the norm.  Probably the ingredient that is most used, is mandioca, also known as yucca or cassava, which is somewhat similar to potatoes. They are a native crop and served with nearly every meal.  In fact , it is so common there is a local saying, “Mas Paraguayo que al mandioca” (More Paraguayan than the mandioca). You can also find sushi, schnitzel and shrimp on the barbie, as a result of the Japanese, German and Australian settlements there.

So let’s enjoy a Paraguayan meal:

The Menu

Starter

Payagua Mescada (Paraguayan Tortilla)

Main Course

Bife Koygua (Paraguayan Beef Stew)

Dessert

Crema (A Paraguayan Custard)

Bonus (The National Dish)

Sopa Paraguaya (Cornbread with Egg and Cheese)

We set the scene with the colors of the Paraguayan flag; red white and blue.  We added a gourd, a bombilla, mate, as well as a mandioca/yuca, root.  A soccer ball and fishing net were added, as they are both important sports in the country. We included a photo of the beautiful national tree called the Pink Lapacho, whose inner bark lining is made into a tea, and is also well known for its medicinal value.

We began by saying, Pekaruporante,  which means Bon Appetit, in Guarani.  Our first course was called Payagua Mescada, which means, Paraguayan tortilla.  It is not, however, what you would typically think of as a tortilla.  It is made with their staple ingredient, the yuca or cassava root.  It is more like a fritter than a tortilla.  It is served with beef and yuca root and deep fried, until golden brown.  It was a perfect start to our Paraguayan feast.

The main course was called Bife Koygua and is a typical Paraguayan beef stew.  We completely understood why this is a cherished dish; tender steak, with veggies and a perfectly cooked egg on top.  Bife Koygua is a true comfort food that I will make again and again.

For dessert, we enjoyed a super easy and delectable custard dessert, simply called crema.  This creamy custard is made with eggs, milk and sugar. It had a hint of lemon and was sprinkled with cinnamon.  We enjoyed it with their traditional tea, called terere, which is ubiquitous there.

As a bonus, I included the recipe for their national dish called, Sopa Paraguaya.  It is not a soup at all, but a delicious cornbread that also goes great with terere.

As we say goodbye to this little known country of Paraguay, I leave you with a few Paraguayan proverbs:

“Be grateful with what you have rather than what you think might be out there.”

“If you think the worst, you won’t be far wrong.”

Until next time,

Jajotopata,  which means, “goodbye”, in Guarani.

Warmest regards,

Darlene Longacre

Craving even more?  Be sure to join the culinary and cultural journey around the world so you don’t miss a thing,  it’s free,  You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook ,  Pinterest and youtube to follow along our journey.

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