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Stella Wilson
Professor Karpinski
Enfoque Cultural
17 March 2022
Venezuelan Cusine
Something I always like to learn more about is the food culture surrounding other
countries. In America, we have tons of traditional dishes that we all have had or like to eat. But, I
am sure most of us don’t know popular dishes in Venezuela. Learning about food, in my opinion,
is the best way to learn more about how another culture is and learn how our culture differs.
Meals in Venezuela have been adopted mostly by European colonizers. Places like Spain,
Portugal, France, and Italy introduced them to flavors that can be used in meals. Things like
olives, garlic, and meat combined with vegetables allowed them to learn how to create their own
dishes.
The main ingredients that are found in their cuisine include corn, rice, yams, yucca,
beans, and plenty of meats. A lot of these foods we even have here when we go to a Mexican
restaurant. It is important to note the influence Venezuelan food has on our culture.
Although each region in Venezuela has different popular cuisines, the most popular food
as a whole is arepas. Since they are considered the most traditional food you can find it with
almost every meal there. It is meant to replace bread as your side dish. They are fried or baked
corn pancakes. You can fill the arepas with things like eggs, shrimp, vegetables, and cheese.
When it comes to beverages though, coffee is most commonly drank. They grow tons of
coffee beans throughout the year so there is never a shortage. Coffee is always given to guests
who arrive in the country or patrons on vacation. In their culture, it is considered rude if you
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decline the coffee because it is considered a form of hospitality. Other popular drinks than coffee
for non-drinkers are fruit juices and milkshakes.
After researching and learning about popular dishes there, I found it so interesting how
there are so many differences in how they view food. In America, we don’t believe that sharing a
cup of coffee is a symbol of hospitality. Nor do we have customs that include any symbol of
hospitality. The food there seems to bond people and families while they are dining. I imagine
Venezuela would be a wonderful place to visit!
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Works Cited
Tu Esquina Venezolana. “The Story behind Venezuelan Food.” Tu Esquina Venezolana,
https://www.tuesquinavenezolana.com/blogs/news/the-story-behind-venezuelan-food.
“Typical Venezuelan Food.” Venezuela Food, Typical Meals Desserts - Comida Tipica South
America, http://www.southamerica.cl/Venezuela/Food.htm.
