Part Four: Items 31-40 You Won't Find In Peru

101 Food Items You Won't Find in the Wonderfully Biodiversified country of Peru
a country which, according to Gaston Acurio, "has everything." (See article at http://www.livinginperu.com/news/14734)

31. Basmati Rice

You haven't tasted rice until you have tasted Basmati. It is truly the most tastiest and most aromatic of rices. You can not find Basmati Rice is Peru which is ironic because Peruvians eat rice with everything and I mean everything! Peruvians will always eat mashed potatoes with rice. They will eat quinoa with rice. They will eat even eat split pea soup with rice! The only time they don't eat rice is when they eat pasta, although I have even heard of people eating rice with pasta down here, believe it or not. This makes it especially ironic that they don't have Basmati rice down here as it is universally praised as one of the best rices. Jasmine rice, which in my opinion is the second best type of rice, is likewise not obtainable in Peru. They don't know what they are missing down here.

32. Mace


This common spice is unobtainable in Peru. Even though the flavor is not the same, you will have to substitute nutmeg here in Peru.

33. Chartreuse


This tasty herbal liquor is not obtainable in Peru. There is really no substitute. Peruvian importers seem to be more interested in importing countless varieties of anise flavored liquors than in bringing in any of the great herbal liquors from Europe.

34. Candied Ginger


This tasty healthy treats are inexplicably unobtainable in Peru. You will have to make your own. As a matter of fact any kind of candied food is next to impossible to find in Peru. The only candied food available is candied sweet potato. You won't find candied lemon, orange, pineapple, cherries, papaya, etc. etc. which are commonly available elsewhere so you will have to make your own if you are thinking of making a fruit cake for Christmas.

35. Rhubarb


If you like rhubarb pie you are out of luck. Rhubarb is unknown in Peru.

36. White Onions


White onions have a great refreshing taste and in my opinion are the best tasting variety of onion. You will not find white onions in Peru. You will however see, however, common yellow onions being sold under the name cebolla blanca. I guess they are trying to be funny.

37. Coriander Seeds


These are inexplicably not available in Peru. Even though Peruvians eat coriander leaves (cilantro) with great relish and even use cilantro puree as a sauce or main flavoring in many of their dishes they do not use coriander seeds at all. These are an absolutely essential ingredient for many cuisines, especially Indian cuisine. No wonder authentic Indian cuisine is next to impossible to find in Peru.

38. Vanilla Beans


This one is truly hard to believe but real vanilla beans do not exist in Peru and no one apparently bothers to import them. Everyone here uses a cheap imitation vanilla essense filled with sugar, artificial coloring and artificial flavoring.

39. Rutabaga


Another one of my favorites which is unknown in Peru. Don't bother asking for it in Peru, they will try to sell you a radish.

40. Nectarines


Another one that is just plain unbelievable. If you try to explain what this is Peruvians will look thoroughly confused.

Watch for my next update which will include food items numbers 41 through 50 (out of 101) that are not available in Peru, the land which "has everything" according to Gaston Acurio.