Peru culinary experience: Potato and Ají

Peru culinary experience: Potato and Ají, Aracari Travel

Peru is fast gaining a reputation as the gastronomic capital of Latin America. There’s so much to do and taste and Aracari specialises in Peru culinary travel offering the best and most authentic foodie experiences. We have a wide range of culinary experiences to offer, from tours of markets, interactive dining with some of Peru’s top chefs, private cooking lessons and much more. Check out our culinary pages with more details of what Aracari can offer.

Here, we share details of a unique Peru culinary experience, in Cusco, putting the spotlight on the humble potato – Peru’s most famous crop, that really deserves some attention for its contribution to gastronomy all over the world.

Peru culinary experience: Potato and Ají, Aracari TravelPeru culinary experience – the humble potato

Peru is home to an almost unbelievable number of varieties of potato – nearly 4,000. This endemic crop – from Peru, not Ireland! – was first domesticated in the region of modern-day southern Peru, between around 8000 and 5000 BC. Potatoes only made their way to Europe around the late 15th Century and then went on to become a worldwide food staple.

While visiting Peru, you should get to know the potato in all it’s glory – browsing the varieties in the market, and of course tasting your way through as many as you can. You can read more about the varieties of potatoes in Peru from the International Potato Center, based in Peru, of course!

Peru culinary experience: Potato and Ají, Aracari Travel With so many varieties, many are never seen in local markets and instead are grown only for subsistence use in the Andes, sometimes given as gifts for weddings and other special occasions as a highly valued heritage item.

Peru culinary experience: Potato and Ají, Aracari TravelPotato & Ají Tasting: a unique Peru culinary experience in Cusco

While you won’t taste them all, this unique Peru culinary experience in Cusco will introduce you to both some of the popular and lesser known native varieties, sampled alongside other tubers and roots such as sweet potato and yuca (cassava), using different cooking techniques.

Ají is the Peruvian word for chili, of which there are multiple varieties ranging from mild to spicy, used to create popular sauces such as huancaína and rocoto. Your potato tasters will be accompanied by a variety of Peruvian chili sauces and another classic accompaniment using local herbs, huacatay, to introduce you to new flavors that complement the potato.


Read our Peru with Flavor culinary itinerary for travel inspiration


 

Peru culinary experience: Potato and Ají, Aracari TravelIf you’re interested in this unique potato sampling experience as part of a luxury, tailormade trip to Peru, contact us or email travel@aracari.com

Related Post

Things to do in Lima And if you are looking for things to do in Lima, the list is constantly growing.  The city is brimming with activity and is full of unexpected surpris...
“Food Is Life, Life Is Food” Pandemic Tales from Peru: Penélope Alzamora Whilst international travel remains largely restricted, Aracari is still bringing you inspiring tales of ...
Top Lima Culinary Experience with Pedro Miguel Schiaffino Exclusive Lima Culinary Experience at Malabar The Aracari team were recently invited to Lima restaurant Malabar to test out an exclusive new private ...
Your Guide To Must-Try Chifa Restaurants In Lima If you’re going to experience the full range of cuisine Peru has to offer, one thing you must try is chifa, also known as Peruvian-Chinese cuisine. Ch...
Christmas in Peru – See, Eat, Do Christmas is an exhilarating, vibrant and joyful occasion in Peru. The holiday is celebrated with good food and plenty of cheer... but in a distinctly...
Free Ebook: Culinary Travel in Peru Culinary Travel in Peru: The Best Food and Drink and Where to Find It With three Peruvian restaurants included on the prestigious 2015 World’s Best 5...