Stories: Peru food Travel

A whole host of the top names in the culinary world call Peru home, and there are few foodie names you’ll hear more often than Pia León and Virgilio Martínez. Together, this culinary power couple has rejuvenated and transformed the Peruvian food scene. Lima has long been known as one of the top restaurant destinations in the world, and innovators like Martínez and León are what keep the city on the cutting edge. Virgilio Martínez is most well known for his use of unique Peruvian ingredients in his intricate dishes. (You may even recognize him from the popular Netflix series Chef’s Table.) He is the mind behind Central Restaurante in Lima and Mil in the Sacred Valley, which offer a series of courses reflecting Peru’s many altitudes and microclimates. Pia León is the creative force behind Kjolle, a newly opened restaurant that highlights Peru’s natural offerings with a focus on its wide range of flavorful herbs and tubers. In 2018, León was named the Best Female Chef in Latin America by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy. Peruvian Ingredients The Chefs Love León and Martínez met (and later married) when León got a job at Central Restaurante more than a decade ago, and the two have inspired each other’s work ever since. If you’re looking for insight into the Peruvian food scene, this duo is an endless source of wisdom. Below are three Peruvian ingredients León and Martínez have been associated with, and what makes them such a special part of the Peruvian food journey. Peruvian Corn León has mentioned to many a journalist that corn is her favorite ingredient. Peru grows more than 55 varieties of corn - more than any other place in the world - so it’s no surprise that this delicious crop is a staple in

Peru’s unique crops are more than just delicious. Many are also fantastic for your health. Some of Peru’s most popular crops are superfoods that can provide a beneficial boost to your mind, body, and taste buds. Peruvian Superfoods You’ll Love Goldenberries These lovely orange berries are also called Incaberries or aguaymantos, and are found in the Andes. Goldenberries are nightshade vegetables packed with heaps of nutrients. (Other nightshade vegetables include tomato, eggplant, and peppers.) The berries are a tasty blend of sweet and citrusy, and they’re full of antioxidants, protein, and vitamins A and C. They’re great for your immune system and heart health. Goldenberries are also an excellent source of fiber and have great anti-inflammatory properties, along with plenty of phosphorus and bioflavonoids. Quinoa Quinoa is an especially popular Peruvian superfood, and for good reason: this incredible seed can be a game changer for both individual health and worldwide wellbeing. Often called the “mother grain of the Inca,” quinoa can easily grow in a wide range of conditions, which makes it a favorite of anti-poverty experts looking to help eliminate world hunger. Quinoa is gluten free, low carb, and jam-packed with nutrients. It’s fantastic for anyone looking to supercharge their health - especially people who can’t eat gluten or are looking for an extra protein source in their routine. Quinoa has lots of fiber, amino acids, and potassium. It’s also just plain delicious - quinoa really has it all. In fact, it’s the only plant in the world containing all of the amino acids humans need. Chirimoya Sometimes called a custard apple, this fruit is well-loved in Peru for its sweet, creamy flavor. The delicious fruit is also loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. Chirimoya can aid in digestion, help manage blood pressure, and support heart health. And can also bring