Peru Ingredients

🇵🇪 Peru

Peruvian Pantry Essentials

Peru's kitchens draw on a unique Andean pantry of fiery ajíes, purple corn, and freeze[H]dried potatoes passed down from Inca tradition

Ají Panca Rocoto Pepper +9
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Peru's kitchens draw on a unique Andean pantry of fiery ajíes, purple corn, and freeze[H]dried potatoes passed down from Inca tradition
Ají Amarillo
Peru's Top Pick

Ají Amarillo

Peru's essential yellow chili pepper, prized for its fruity heat and used in countless classic dishes

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Ají Panca
Ají Panca
A smoky, mildly spicy dried chili paste that forms the savory backbone of many Peruvian marinades
Rocoto Pepper
Rocoto Pepper
A fiery, apple[H]shaped chili native to the Andes, famous for stuffed rocoto relleno
Maíz Morado
Maíz Morado
Peru's striking purple corn, valued for its color and nutrition, and the base of chicha morada
Quinoa
Quinoa
The Andean super[H]grain cultivated in Peru for thousands of years, now a global staple
Chuño
Chuño
Freeze[H]dried Andean potatoes, an ancient preservation technique still used across the highlands
Huacatay
Huacatay
Peruvian black mint, the herb behind ocopa and the pachamanca marinade.
Maca
Maca
The Andean root sold as a superfood, ground into flour and drinks for centuries.
Lúcuma
Lúcuma
The maple-tasting Andean fruit that flavors Peru's favorite ice cream and desserts.
Peruvian Corn
Peruvian Corn
Choclo, cancha, maíz morado and the other corns that feed the whole cuisine.
Charque
Charque
Salted, sun-dried meat from the Andes, shredded into olluquito and soups.

A Guide to Peruvian Ingredients

Peruvian food is built on its chiles and its Andean staples. Ají amarillo is the fruity yellow chile in ají de gallina and huancaína, ají panca is the dried red one behind anticuchos, and rocoto is the hot one that gets stuffed. From the highlands come quinoa, chuño (freeze-dried potato) and maíz morado, the purple corn in chicha morada, while salsa criolla is the pickled onion relish that finishes most plates.

Use the guides above to stock a Peruvian pantry, then explore all Peruvian food or browse Latin American and Spanish ingredients across the site.

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