PACHAMANCA: COOKING THE TRADITIONAL ANDEAN WAY

It's called the Pachamanca - the most interesting ritual I've so far seen while I was in Peru. The word comes from the Quechua language: pacha means "earth" and manka means "pot" So it literally means they cook food inside the earth, with the aid of hot stones - essentially making it an earthen stove. I experienced this during our lunch stop on one of the islands in Lake Titicaca, where we were greeted with locals surrounding a freshly-dug, medium-sized hole in the earth. It was facinating to watch them work through the whole ritual.

1. They fill the hole with soil to ensure the heat is trapped in to ensure the food is being cooked thoroughly. Let's just say, it takes a lot of manual effort to do this ritual! It was worth it to watch from beginning to end, though.

2. Then they start the fire by lighting up the grass that they placed on top of the mound. Traditionally, the cooking process takes up to two hours. We entertained ourselves during that time by playing with the kids and whiling away our time watching the boats lazily plying the lake.

3. When it was almost ready, the shaman blessed our lunch. I felt honoured to have witnessed such a ritualistic lunch activity. I mean sure, I was taught while in grade school how to cook outdoors without any help from modern items, but I just felt it was different to experience a ritual that ancient Peruvians crafted, and is still being practiced up to today.

4. After the much-anticipated wait, our hosts started digging up the hot stones and opening up the banana leaves-wrapped food: a variety of potatoes, vegetables, fish and chicken.

5. LUNCH IS SERVED! I think I ate too many potatoes while in Peru - they have potato viands, potato desserts, even potato drinks! The put potatoes OVER rice - carbs on carbs, amirite?! The fact that Peru has over 4,000 varieties of potatoes surprised me. I mean, who knew?! (Well, probably farmers and exporters, but definitely not me, hehe).

6. Topping off the lunch with some cerveza and everyone's favorite sugary soda - Inca Cola!! I know sodas are bad, but Inca is a notch above the rest, believe me! :) It just adds that much-needed oomph at the end of every meal.

7. Finally, thanking our wonderful host for the yummy lunch and for inviting us to their island home. All that effort was much appreciated!

Definitely an experience to remember and hopefully, you can have the opportunity to do this while in Peru, too!

HAPPY TRAVELS! x

HOW TO EXPERIENCE IT: I went with Edgar Adventures - safe boats, nice and accommodating staff, informative tour. Part of the tour cost also goes back to the local communities; a business with a conscience is a plus in my books!

#Peru