Arepa

''Arepa'' () is a type of flatbread made of ground maize dough stuffed with a filling, eaten in northern parts of South America since pre-Columbian times, and notable primarily in the cuisine of Colombia and Venezuela, but also present in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Central America.

Arepa is commonly eaten in those countries and can be served with accompaniments, such as cheese, '' cuajada'' (fresh cheese), various types of meat, avocado, or (deviled ham spread). It can also be split to make sandwiches. Sizes, maize types, and added ingredients vary based on preparation. It is similar to the Mexican '' gordita,'' the Salvadoran '' pupusa'', the Ecuadorian , and the Panamanian or .

Origins

The is a pre-Columbian dish from the area that is now Colombia, Panama and Venezuela. Instruments used to make flour for the , and the clay slabs on which they were cooked, were often found at archaeological sites in the area. Although it has not been specified in which country an ' was cooked for the first time, it has been possible to define the oldest dates of the presence of maize in Colombia and Venezuela.

For example, in Colombia, the first record of the presence of corn cultivation dates from about 6,000 years ago. However, the presence of arepas dates from 3,000 years ago (Specifically in the Altiplano Cundiboyacense by the Muisca), while in Venezuela, the estimate is about 2,800 years ago.

Throughout its history, the ' has stayed mainly unchanged from the ' that pre-Columbian native peoples would have consumed, making the ' one of the few pre-contact traditions that have remained popular in the years since colonization. The name ' is related to , the word for 'cornbread' in the Cumanagoto language.

Characteristics

The ' is a flat, round, unleavened patty of soaked, ground kernels of maize, or—more frequently nowadays—maize meal or maize flour. It can be grilled, baked, fried, boiled, or steamed. The characteristics vary by color, flavor, size, and the food with which it may be stuffed, depending on the region. Simple ' are filled with butter or cheese and baked. Depending on the meal, more filling varieties can be added with combinations of ingredients like beans, meat, avocados, eggs, tomatoes, salad, shrimp, or fish. Fried ' are often consumed in northern South America, filled with white cheese on top and served with fried eggs. Sweet fried ' are another variety often prepared with sugarloaf () and anise (). Venezuelan white cheese is another topping for fried ''arepas'' that can be combined with feta cheese.

Production

Initially, flour was made by grinding maize at home. In the 1950s, precooked ''arepa'' flour was invented by Dr. , a Venezuelan engineer, and became an instant success. The flour is mixed with water and salt, and occasionally oil, butter, eggs or milk. Because the flour is already cooked, the blend forms into patties easily. After being kneaded and formed, the patties are fried, grilled, or baked. Some varieties of ''arepas'' are made with "peeled" corn using the nixtamalization process; they are known as ''arepa pelada''.

''Arepa'' flour is specially prepared (cooked in water, then dried) for making ''arepas'' and other maize dough-based dishes, such as '' hallacas'', ''bollos'', ''tamales'', ''empanadas, atole'' and ''chicha''. The flour may be called '','' '','' , or . It is not nixtamalized. The most popular brand names of maize flour are Harina PAN and Harina Juana in Venezuela, Areparina in Colombia, and Goya elsewhere.

Regional varieties

The dish is known in multiple cuisines, but Colombia and Venezuela have a "heated and longstanding" gastronationalistic rivalry over the origins of the dish. According to food anthropologist Ocarina Castillo of the Central University of Venezuela, the dish is likely thousands of years old and originated in the region now occupied by the two countries before colonizers of the area drew borders.

Bolivia

Bolivian ''arepas'' are made from corn. There are different ways to prepare ''arepas'', but one of the most traditional is the Cotoca recipe. Several varieties of ''arepa'' can be found in the country, such as the Cruceña and Andina varieties.

Colombia

The first record of the existence of arepas dates from about 3,000 years ago in what is currently Colombia.

The ''arepa'' is an iconic food in Colombia, with some 75 distinct preparation forms. According to a study conducted by the Colombian Academy of Gastronomy, the ''arepa'' is part of the Colombian cultural heritage and can be considered a symbol of national gastronomic unity. (in Spanish)

In 2006, the ''arepa'' was named the cultural symbol of Colombia in a competition organized by '' Semana'' magazine with support from Caracol Televisión, the Ministry of Culture and 'Colombia is Passion'.

In the Paisa region, the ''arepa'' is especially important to the local people and sometimes accompanies all meals of the day. In addition, ''arepas'' are strung into necklaces and placed around the necks of honored dignitaries as a sign of praise. Many varieties of ''arepa'' were introduced from this region.

In Colombia, the ''arepa'' is sold commercially in neighborhood stores, chain supermarkets, and market plazas and packaged with preservatives as a pre-molded white or yellow corn dough ready to grill or fry at home. It is also sold in the form of industrialized corn flour that requires hydration before preparation. In addition, ''arepas'' are sold by street vendors, in cafeterias, and in neighborhood stores.

Restaurants of the Paisa Region offer a wide variety of ''arepas'', including a unique style of stuffed ''arepa'' that can be filled with eggs, meat, or cheese. Colombians in the Caribbean region commonly eat a breakfast variation called , which consists of a cooked ''arepa'' which has been split open, stuffed with a raw egg, and fried.

The Colombian Arepa Festival is celebrated in Barranquilla, Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cali and Medellín. Each city takes turns organizing the festival between August and December. There are also many other types of arepas, including Arepa de Choclo, Arepa de Queso, Arepa Frita, Arepa Costeña, Arepa de Yuca, and Arepa Paisa.

Variations by region

According to the Santa Marta City newspaper, ''El Informador'', there are about 75 types of ' around Colombia; among them is the '' ocañera'', consumed in the Department of Norte de Santander, characterized by the addition of () and other types of meat. Some recipes for this type of ' can contain cheese and chicken. One of its characteristics is that it is relatively thin unlike other and also has a toasted and golden colored shell.

Another variation is the '' boyacense'', with the Municipality of Ventaquemada being one of the most outstanding in terms of its production. This type of ' may contain butter, eggs, and cheese. It has a certain sweetness, and in some recipes, this ' may have '' cuajada''.

There is also the '' paisa'', which is consumed in the Department of Antioquia. It is prepared with (). This form most closely resembles indigenous cuisine.

In addition, another ' variation consumed in the Andean region of the country is the '' santandereana'', which contains cooked yuca and ''chicharrón''.

Costa Rica

In the Province of Guanacaste, ' are prepared in the form of large, toasted sponge cakes, seasoned with '' Bagaces'' type cheese. In Cartago, during colonial times, were filled with pork.

Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, mainly in the San Juan area and beach sides, are popular. They can also be found in some restaurants, almost always as . The Puerto Rican is made with corn flour, coconut milk, coconut oil, baking powder, and sugar. They can be fried, baked, or cooked on a grill. Once done, the is cut open and stuffed. There are countless fillings. Crab, shrimp, and octopus stewed in sofrito, lemon, coconut milk, and ginger, among other ingredients, are the most popular.

Spain

are present in the Canary Islands due to population flow between the islands and Venezuela. They are found in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and rarely in the archipelago's eastern islands. Many of the consumed in the islands' bars and restaurants are fried. Some incorporate ingredients from local gastronomy such as soft cheese or Canary plantain.

Venezuela

The ' is a symbol of Venezuelan gastronomy and one of the most common pre-Hispanic foods still popular in Venezuela. The first records of this dish are about 2800 years ago.

According to a 2015 survey of the Venezuelan people, nearly 70 percent of the nation ate ' regularly. It is common for Venezuelans to eat ' throughout the day, both as snacks and as sides to meals, creating a culture where these corn products (Harina PAN) can be found almost everywhere and in specific restaurants called .

The ' is seen as a cornerstone of a Venezuelan diet; prior to the 2015 food shortages, it was estimated that each year the average Venezuelan consumed about 30 kilos of the corn flour used to make '. Venezuelan are commonly filled with a great variety of different fillings, from beef and avocado to cheese, varying widely by the location of where they are sold and the ingredients that can be obtained.

In Venezuela's Andes region, are made with wheat flour rather than cornmeal. These lighter ' are generally eaten as a snack or an accompaniment to heavier meals.

Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro "has tried to use arepas as a nationalist rallying point, if not a political tool, claiming the food is from his country alone", according to the ''New York Times''.

See also

*'' Cachapa''
*'' Gordita''
*'' Pupusa''
* List of breads
* List of maize dishes

References

Further reading

Food and Agricultural Organization, United Nations. Maize in Human Nutrition
* Dr. Nelson Solorzano, a specialist in food and nutrition and Caribbean Region Culture. Socio-economic Development Planner specializing in Latin American Socio-economic Development History, Agriculture, and Culture. (CENDES-UCV), USA, May 2007.

De los timoto-cuicas a la invisibilidad del indígena andino y a su diversidad cultural

* Mariano Picón Salas. Pequeña Historia de la Arepa. Suma de Venezuela. Caracas, 1966.

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Bolivian cuisine
Canary Islands cuisine
Colombian cuisine
Costa Rican cuisine
Maize dishes
Panamanian cuisine
Puerto Rican cuisine
Street food
Tortilla-based dishes
Venezuelan cuisine