The Universal Language of Food

Welcome!

When creating this blog, my goal was to draw connections between Latin American history and its background of cuisine.  As the banana business thrived for American companies, it made me wonder what other ingredients populated Latin American harvests.  Skillful nations cultivated an abundant landscape of crops.  As Europeans arrived in South America, differing cuisines meshed and developed new culinary traditions.  While cooking styles integrated and traditional dishes were prepared, diverse cuisines were created in the process.

Banana Republic

Not referencing the trendy American clothing line, banana republics were significant in Latin American nations.  Banana republics held strong representation in Central and South American countries.  The phrase was coined as dictatorships exploited home country's natural resources and agricultural crops.  The United State's involvement was strong in the 1870's where banana importing became a booming business.  The United Fruit Company controlled banana markets in all dimensions - commanding agricultural centers in Cuba, Jamaica, Columbia, Santa Domingo, Guatemala, Panama, and Nicaragua.  Banana republics evolved political and economic divisions.  The United Fruit Company thrived and controlled foreign territory and transportation networks in Central America.  Creating banana republics with its economic monopoly, the United Fruit Company controlled their banana plantations and dominated many countries in Latin America.

   

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/books/review/Kurtz-Phelan-t.html?_r=0 

The Banana Lady

Carmen Miranda was a Brazilian performer who transitioned her talents to the United States.  While being a skilled woman in the entertainment business, Carmen was known for much more than her life on Broadway.  Performing in many flashy outfits, Miranda habitually wore exotic headdresses pieced with fruit produce.  The actress' costumes brought much attention and received praise from the United Fruit Company.  Controlling much of the banana trade realm, Carmen Miranda's style brought forth a marketing opportunity for the banana business.

With having much impact on the economy and several Latin American countries, the United Fruit Company controlled many regions with its power of international banana trade.  A creative banana logo began to surface and helped build an everlasting brand.  The Chiquita Banana, which was created for the United Fruit Company, featured a female-advertised cartoon that adorned a wild fruit hat like Carmen Miranda's.

Current Chiquita Logo

First Chiquita Banana Logo

 

Carmen Miranda

http://www.tvacres.com/admascots_misschiquita.htm 

Caribbean Eats

Caribbean cultures have had tremendous influence on Latin American cuisine.  As one ponders the nations of Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Cuba, select dishes vary off location.  Residing near the blue seas or mountains, food options become endless.  With Caribbean spice and flavor, this type of cuisine has unique tastes of Spanish and African cultures.  Like most Spanish dishes, many plates include rice and beans, with pork or beef.  Plantains, or unripened bananas, are often served in multitude of styles.  In the United States, you can likely grab a Cuban sandwich in the southern parts of Florida.  Originating in early Cuban-American communities, this grilled sandwich typically consists of Cuban bread, thinly sliced pork and ham, all while being topped with Swiss cheese & pickles.

Cuban Sandwich

   















 http://www.travel2thecaribbean.com/CaribbeanCooking.html
Picture: http://www.flanboyanteats.com/cooking_recipes/el-cubano-the-almighty-cuban-sandwich-an-amazing-knife/

Mexico y Cheesy Gordita Crunch

Hands down, Mexican food is likely the best-known Latin American cuisine.  Formally known for its corn tortillas, salsa, tacos, or enchiladas, Mexican dishes vary in many different looks and ingredients.  Although Americans indulge on Cheesy Gordita Crunches from popular fast food chain, Taco Bell, authentic Spanish cuisine is rich in taste, vibrant color, and bold flavor.  Many Mexican dishes consist of corn or white flour tortillas stuffed with differing combinations of rice, beans, cheese, and meats.

http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Mexico.html

Picture: http://theberry.com/2012/05/17/mexican-food-will-turn-your-day-right-around-29-photos/

Brazil y Neymar

Being South America's most populated country, Brazil's population involves Spaniards, Portuguese, Native Americans, Italians, and many other divisions of culture, cooking varieties differ from culinary regions.  In Northern Brazil, dishes are full of fish, tropical fruits, and nuts.  Coconut milk is a signature drink and key ingredient in most dishes.  Brazil's industrial regions in the southeast enjoy pork, beans, and corn.  Brazil is strongly known for its grilled churrasco.  Their world renown steakhouses formally called, Churrascarias, are known for its prepared meats. 

http://www.brazil.org.za/brazil-cuisine.html#.VH92W4epccc 
Pictures:  http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Neymar/Brazil+v+Mexico/E2pY8aIwzQ6
                  http://www.miami.com/a_cut_above

Brazilian Steakhouse Atmosphere

Brazilian Soccer Star - Neymar Jr.

A Little Spice and Everything Nice

When thinking of Latin American cuisine, rich spices and flavors always come to mind.  Latin cuisine grows roots from a colorful cultural history.  Laid out traditions from the Mayans and Aztecs brought a large array of ingredients including potatoes, corn, and other native crops.  As recipes vary from region to region, many traditional dishes live on through traditional Latin cuisine.  The Latin American dinner table shares much variety in different parts of the world.  Come explore the unique eats of Latin American culture!