1.- INTRODUCTION: WHY AREQUIPA IS PERU’S HIDDEN CULINARY GEM
At the foot of the immense and imposing Misti volcano lies the white city of Arequipa, which for many years has been renowned for its incredible collection of colonial buildings. However, in recent decades, the growing interest of travelers from around the world in Peruvian cuisine has made the Arequipa Food Tour a popular option, as it is a direct way for travelers to learn more about this cultural legacy. Arequipa’s cuisine has been ranked as one of the best in Peru, to the point that it has also become internationally recognized as a gastronomic treasure where it is possible to taste traditional flavors that are the product of ancestral recipes that delight even the most demanding palates.
Of course, in Peru, Lima is considered the gastronomic capital, but the reputation of the white city has also been growing, so Food & Drink Tours in Arequipa have become more popular options thanks to the rich variety of traditional food. Without a doubt, the Arequipa Food Tour takes you on a journey of intense flavors that are unique thanks to the use of local ingredients and preparation and cooking techniques. On the Food Tour Arequipa, you can enjoy unique and special traditional dishes such as adobo arequipeño, stuffed rocoto, shrimp soup, and other options.
There is no doubt that the Arequipa Food Tour offers a unique and special experience, mainly due to the essence of homemade flavor that reinforces the idea of eating at home thanks to local customs. Remember that when choosing an Arequipa Food Tour, the purpose is not only to eat, but also to enjoy a great cultural experience that is also considered a way of telling stories and keeping the collective memory alive. In each of the traditional dishes, you can feel the soul of the white city reflected and understand why it is also known as a culinary celebration shared with fellow travelers.
2.- Is it worth experiencing an Arequipa Food Tour?
Absolutely! The Food Tour Arequipa is designed so that travelers looking to discover new flavors can delight their palates in a special way, as it is not only about tasting the flavors of the dishes but also about discovering their special origins. To this end, different activities are carried out during the Food Tour Arequipa, starting with the traditional visit to local markets, a tour of the many picanterías (traditional restaurants) that have a historical origin and of course, the unmissable cooking classes in the company of specialized chefs. In this way, the experience becomes more enriching than it seems and is a way to discover more about the local history of the white city. It is a greater experience than it seems, as it allows the five senses to be sharpened and enables travelers to have a sensory immersion.
3.- WHAT IS AN AREQUIPA FOOD TOUR?
This experience is more than just a guide to tasting Arequipa’s cuisine; in fact, it is considered a cultural experience because it allows travelers to also enjoy the identity and tradition behind the delicious flavors of the local food. This adventure was designed with the intention of taking travelers’ senses to the extreme and allowing them to discover more than just tourist restaurants, enabling them to learn more about identity, culture, and unique spaces such as picanterías.
4.- Types of culinary experiences
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4.1.- Visit to picanterías
Picanterías are establishments where Arequipa cuisine is prepared in a traditional way, following ancestral and unique recipes such as stuffed rocoto, shrimp chupe, solterito, or Arequipa adobo, where the chefs themselves share the history of the dish along with stories and secrets that make its preparation unique. Among these, there are special and unique options that will make your experience incredible, such as La Nueva Palomino, Sol de Mayo, La Capitanía, and others.
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4.2.- Tour of local markets
Arequipa also has many traditional markets where customs remain intact, such as the San Camilo Market, where you can try and taste local products such as frozen cheese, local peppers, corn, and Andean fruits. This way, you can learn about the origin of the ingredients that make Arequipa cuisine so special.
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4.3.- Cooking classes
This adventure is mainly carried out in the company of a specialized chef and in a practical way, where not only the ingredients are taught, but a traditional recipe is followed in which each traveler prepares their dish from scratch. For many travelers, this experience has become something special and unforgettable, as many take advantage of saving the recipe and then recreating it at home.
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4.4.- Tastings
This is the favorite option for many travelers. This alternative combines the experience of local cuisine with traditional drinks such as chicha de guiñapo and, of course, craft beer. This takes place in private settings for those who prefer a more personalized experience or with a panoramic view on an exclusive terrace.
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5.- CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF FOOD IN AREQUIPA
You should know that Arequipa cuisine is not only part of the region’s heritage, but is also considered part of its cultural identity, something that everyone who lives here is proud of. It is undoubtedly one of the highlights of Arequipa, along with its history and traditions. Each traditional dish is the result of many centuries of cultural fusion, thanks to ancestral techniques and a sense of perfection in flavors. We are sure that during your visit you will understand that eating here is not just eating, but rather a social ritual that seeks to connect people with their cultural roots, which still exist in traditions that have been passed down through generations.
6.- Historical influences
Arequipa’s cuisine has undergone many changes due to the fusion of cultures. It is easy to appreciate culinary practices that belong to pre-Hispanic cultures of Andean populations that settled in the region, such as the use of traditional ingredients like corn, potatoes, chili peppers, and traditional river shrimp. Since 1532, with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, other European cooking techniques were adapted, the most representative being baking, in addition to other elements such as wheat, pork, and cheese. This led to a fusion and characterized the mestizo cuisine, which, even with the passage of time, knew how to maintain its own original flavor. Of course, in the colonial era, this city gained recognition as an important agricultural and livestock center, which facilitated access to fresh products that added to the quality of the local cuisine. In addition, thanks to the presence of the Creole elite, a unique development in sophisticated gastronomy could be seen, which allowed the first picanterías to be valued as spaces for social and cultural exchange.
7.- TRADITIONAL ROUTE
The classic adventure of this experience also allows you to know the cultural space of the White City, for this reason the traditional and emblematic neighborhoods such as the Historic Center, San Lazaro, yanahuara and the Cercado are also known. Here travelers can discover more about the historical influence that colonial architecture, local history and all directly linked to the gastronomic legacy.
The walk can be extended from 2 hours to 4 hours since it covers more than 3 kilometers and it is recommended to walk at a slow pace because you can have multiple stops where you can taste, rest and also learn. These stops are points of reference where it is possible to learn a little more about the Arequipa food, recognizing the San Camilo Market where you can taste an appetizer such as fresh juices or Andean fruit, then proceed for the main course that can only be enjoyed in the best way in the traditional picanterias to delight the palate with a stuffed rocoto, shrimp soup or adobo arequipeño. Along the way, the experience can also be complemented by tasting traditional desserts such as buñuelo or mazamorra morada. The whole experience is perfectly complemented by the viewpoints and squares that you get to know where you can finally rest, delighting your palate and soothing your tiredness with chicha de guiñapo or anís arequipeño.
8.- HIGH EXPECTATIONS
“There is no doubt that the Food & Drink Tours in Arequipa are a completely immersive experience that combines sensory and authentic aspects. As you taste each dish, you learn more about the cultural and traditional context of Arequipa and it is the perfect moment of rest while you enjoy other traditional experiences during your stay in the White City of Arequipa.”
9.- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- How much do Arequipa food tours cost?
There are many options to choose from that vary in price depending on the duration, type of experience and of course the places you visit. You can find ranges from $35.00 dollars to $65.00 dollars.
- How long do typical food tours in Arequipa last?
There are also several options but traditionally they last between 2 hours or 4 hours, of course if you are looking for something more personalized you can find options that cover half a day or a full day.
- What’s included in an Arequipa food tour?
It is standardized that the experience can be complete and allow you to enjoy it to the fullest, for this reason it is considered to include all the essential aspects such as the company of a professional guide, the tasting of dishes, visit to the markets and if necessary the typical drinks, remember that each experience is different.
- Do I need to book Arequipa food tours in advance?
Yes, in fact these experiences are highly quoted at least during the high season that occurs from June to September, reserving your space so you can delight it without complications.
- Are Arequipa food tours worth the money?
Definitely yes, it is a different way to learn more about the place you visit and in this case the culinary adventure through the city of Arequipa allows you to enjoy a special and authentic way as well as tasty tradition that is hidden in each dish.
Now you know everything important about this culinary adventure, you don’t have to procrastinate anymore because fortunately Auri Peru can design for you a personalized adventure that ensures that your palate has the best sensory experience. Contact us now and we will help you through the whole process.
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