If you’re visiting the Amazon, you’ll surely try some local dishes that are found in this unique region, with the many activities that are commonly done here (like river cruises, wildlife and flora sightseeing or getting to visit some of the many native villages that are scattered in the Amazon), you’ll feel the need to replenish your energies with some cold beverages and tasty meals without a doubt.
This Peruvian region has nothing to envy the other parts of the country territory’s culinary tradition (and even has contributed to its popularity due to the unique flavours and essences only found here). Simple or elaborated dishes are to be found in the plethora of culinary offerings that are found in the Amazon, and surely one will compliment your taste.
Juane
Juane is a traditional dish in Peru’s Amazonian Forest, and it is enjoyed by both locals and tourists. This is a local delicacy made on the Feast of “San Juan” (or St. John in English).
It occurs every year on June 24th, reminding at the same time that the origin of this dish’s name is linked with the festivity that celebrates the birth of St. John, or on the contrary, his death, since the dish mimics his head after being cutted from his body because of Salome’s whim.
Juanes can also be found in small restaurants and street vendors!
There are several varieties, the most well-known of which is made with chicken. It is a dish made with rice, chicken breast, hard-boiled eggs, black olives, and various spices such as cumin, garlic, and oregano wrapped in Bijao leaves (which look like banana leaves) and tied up with a string.
Tacacho with Cecina
Tacacho with Cecina, along with the Juane, is regarded as the most delectable dish in the Peruvian Amazon. It is a dish that is served with 2 small balls. They are made of squashed bananas and thin strips of smoked pork seasoned with a variety of spices.
After that, they’re seasoned with salt and pepper. Although it appears to be a crumbly dish, it is actually quite moist. The balls are typically made with green bananas. But some variants use a mix of green and yellow bananas to give the dish a unique flavor.
Paiche
Paiche, also known as arapaima, is the largest freshwater fish found in the Amazonian rivers.
They grow to be 2 meters long and weigh up to 100 kilograms! A paiche dish can be prepared in a variety of ways, including fried, grilled, steamed, and combined with other rice dishes!
Paiche is modest, but it has a chicken-like flavor. Therefore, it is a great starter for both kids and adults who are not fans of seafood.
Chontajuane
This dish is a variant of Juane that consists of squashed chonta (a type of plant found all across the Peruvian Amazon), palmas, and paiche combined with different spices like garlic, pepper, cumin, and oregano.
This is then wrapped in bijao leaves with a string but sometimes banana leaves are also used to wrap chontajuane.
Exotic alcoholic beverages
No Peruvian Amazon meal is satisfactory without its exotic alcoholic beverages.
These are made by mixing various ingredients, ranging from herbs like cat’s claw, wampo, Fierro Caspi, chicoa, and chuchuwasy, and sweetened with honey or sugar cane.
These are popular among Peruvians because they are said to have aphrodisiac qualities. You can try ones like 7 Raíces, the Chuchuhuasi, Rompe Calzón (RC), Levántate Lázaro (LL), and the Uvachado, which is a sweet liquor made from Amazon black grapes and honey.
The tastiest Amazonian food dishes await in Peru!
Now that you are already tasting those yummy juanes, contact us to begin with your next trip’s arrangements!
