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Colombian cuisine shares much in common with Latin American Cuisine .


MEALS AND SNACKS

The first meal of the day is followed by a main course followed by either a drink or dessert. Although, in some cases, in the morning after breakfeast a snack is eaten, also known as Medias Nueves and also after lunch, called Medias Noches. The Dinner is eaten usually around 7 to 9 pm.


FRUIT

Many varieties of fruit virtually unknown to the Western world are enjoyed in Colombia, such as the Zapote , lulo, curuba, mamoncillo, uchuva, feijoa, sweet granadilla, mamey, guama, tree tomato, borojó, arasá(in the amazon region), pomarrosa, maracuyá, chontaduro (to eat with salt ALWAYS), guayabamanzana (hybrid between guava and apple) and pitahaya.
Banana leaves are very common in Colombian cuisine, with foods such as quesillos (cheese wrapped in banana leaves) and tamales making heavy use of them.


REGIONAL CUISINE IN COLOMBIA

There is a large variety of dishes that take into account the difference in regional climates. For example:
  • In the city of Cali , the most traditional dish is " Sancocho De Gallina " - a soup composed mostly of Chicken , Plantain , Corn , Coriander , and other seasonings.

  • In Bogota and the Andean region, "ajiaco" is the traditional dish. It is also a type of soup made of chicken, yucca root and potatoes, flavoured with a locally grown herb called "guasca". Traditionally, cream and capers are added just before eating. Both soups are served with white rice, salads flavoured with lemon, avocado, or plantain chips, sweet or salty.

  • In the Caribbean coast, spicy cooking, with fish and Lobster , is practiced. Coconut Rice is a common dish along the coastal cities. Inland, the plates resemble the mix of cultures, inherited mainly from amerindian and european cuisine, and the produce of the land mainly agriculture, cattle, river fishing and other animals' raising. Such is the case of the Sancocho soup in Valledupar , the Arepa s (a corn based bread like). Local species of animals like the Guaratinaja , part of the Wayuu amerindian culture.


  • In the Llanos, Barbecued meat, such as the "ternera llanera" is common, and also typical river fishes like the "amarillo".

  • In the Amazonas, the cuisine is influenced by Brazilian and Peruvian traditions.



OTHER CUISINE

There are also Gourmet restaurants and food chains, these kind of food has recently grown in Bogotá and there are different varities of food to chose from, including Japanese cuisine to Arabic food; there has been also a new proposition of doing fusion foods and ideas to restore the traditional Colombian Cuisine too.


MAYOR EXPONENTS OF COLOMBIAN CUISINE



COLOMBIAN DISHES

The "bandeja paisa" ("country platter") is a national favorite. It consists of a large plate of plantain, white rice, roasted meat, salad, arepa, plantain chips, a fried egg with a bowl of red beans. The main staple of Colombia's food is Chiles en Nogada,a sweet, yet spicy dinner.


Beverages

  • Aguapanela To make this drink you dissolve the panela (a hard block of sugarcane) in water and add lime juice.

  • Aguardiente

  • Guarapo

  • Champús (Made of corn, pineapple, lulo, and other special ingredients}

  • Chicha (Formerly forbidden strong alcoholic beverage which can be done with virtually everything within range being corn the most typical one. Beverage originally made by indigenous peoples in the Andean region}

  • Canelazo (Alcoholic version of the aguapanela mixed with cinnamon, aguardiente and sugar in the borders of the glass. To serve warm}

  • Kola Román The national soda of Colombia,it is the most popular gasified beverage specially in the Caribbean coast of the country.



Breads

  • Arepa Depending on the regions, the types of arepas differ in colour, flavour, size and garniture. Some of them are sweet and some are salty. The most typical are: Arepa Paisa or Antioqueña, arepa de huevo, arepa santandereana, arepa de choclo, arepa de yuca, arepa de anis, amongst others

  • Buñuelos

  • Pandebono

  • Pan De Yuca

  • Almojábana

  • Pan De Queso



Desserts and sweets



Meat, poultry, and seafood



Side dishes




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