There has been demand from the European catering scene for specialities from Peru for a number of years now. "The Peruvian kitchen is on the rise. Not all products are free to export, but we have been able to get a hold of the weekly supply of a package with all kinds of peppers, white and black maize and special potatoes from the Andes," says Edwin Janssen of BUD Holland.
"The demand was coming from catering customers in Spain, Portugal and Scandinavia a number of years ago. We have been busy arranging this for a number of years and this resulted in the first shipment three weeks ago," continues Edwin. "People have heard the name a few times and been asked about it and now the question is what can be done with it."
"Most popular is the black maize, an item that wasn't available until now. White maize is slightly less spectacular, but also popular. The Chicha Morada drink is made from the black maize in Peru. The white maize (Choclo) is often served with white rice and sits between the grains of rice," says Erwin.
The types of potatoes that we are allowed to import from the Andes also sell well. The potatoes from the Andes are known as ancient potatoes and have different shapes and colours. Catering loves this," says the importer. "Some peppers were already known, but we have added some new varieties and they are also finding their way. They are often used in the Ceviche (a Peruvian dish)."
Clockwise from top left: Aji limo red, amarillo, limo morado, limo mix and rocato
"There are around thirteen different items from all parts of Peru," continues Edwin. Extreme weather conditions aside, the products are available all year round. "But there are sensitive products in there, such as the Lucuma, a fruit with a vanilla-caramel flavour, which is used for desserts."
Lucuma
More products are on the programme for the next few weeks, but they still need the certificate for export. Examples are the red and yellow 'Charapita' from the jungle, the pipi de mono, cacoa fruit and lulo, which is also known as 'Naranjilla' or little orange and grows on a bush.
The lulo grows on the Andes mountains in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru and has an orange skin with an inside that looks like a green tomato. The flesh combines the taste of lemon and pineapple and the fruit also has white, edible seeds.
Lulo and Cacoa fruit
For more information:
Edwin Janssen,
Bud Holland Bv
Transportweg 67,
2676 LM Maasdijk
Tel: 0031 174-535318
e.janssen@bud.nl
www.bud.nl