Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DRINKS
The main soft drink brands are available, but locals have a passion for Inca Kola - which
tastes like bubble gum and comes in a spectacular shade of nuclear yellow. Fresh fruit
juices are also popular, as are traditional drinks such as
chicha morada,
a refreshing, nonal-
coholic beverage made from purple corn.
Though the country exports coffee to the
world, many Peruvians drink it instant: some
restaurants dish up packets of Nescafé or an
inky coffee reduction that is blended with hot
water. In cosmopolitan and touristy areas, cafes
serving espresso and cappuccino have prolifer-
ated. Tea and
mates
(herbal teas) are also widely
available. The latter includes
manzanilla
(chamomile),
menta
(mint) and
mate de coca
(coca-leaf tea). The latter will not get you high, but it can soothe stomach ailments.
The culinary website Yanuq (
www.yanuq.com
)
has
an extensive online database of Peruvian recipes in
English and Spanish.
Beer & Wine
The best-known brands of beer are Pilsen Callao, Brahma, Cristal and Cusqueña, all of
which are light lagers. Arequipeña and Trujillana are regional brews served in and around
those cities. In the Andes, homemade
chicha
(corn beer) is very popular. It tastes lightly
sweet and is low in alcoholic content. In rural Andes villages, a red flag posted near a door
indicates that
chicha
is available.
Local wines have improved greatly over the years. The best local labels are Tabernero,
Tacama, Ocucaje and Vista Alegre. Also very popular is pisco (see the boxed text,
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