Food and Drink

Food
One of my favorite things to learn about when studying or traveling to another country is their culinary traditions and influences. Chilean's usually eat 4 meals a day starting with a light breakfast of coffee or tea and toast. The countries typical meal almost always consists of an abundance of meat. Beef and chicken, rice and potatoes and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables are staples. Chile also has a coastline of 4,270 km (2,647 miles) which adds a very diverse seafood menu. While many people assume the chili is used in chilean cuisine, it is not common spice used. More common herbs and spices are cumin, salt, garlic with basil and cilantro.

Here a few of Chile's most traditional dishes:

- Pastel de Choclo: corn casserole with meat stuffing
- Empanadas: pastry filled with meat, cheese or mussels
- Cazuela: homemade stew with beef, chicken, corn, rice and potatoes
- Asado: barbecue of beef, pork or chicken
- Reineta, Congrio, Corvina: the most typical fish
- Locos: a rare type of mollusks
- Jaiva: shrimp, crab
- Centolla: king crab with tender meat of reddish color

Mealtimes are an important part of family life. Families almost always eat together at home, only going to a restaurant on a special occasion. Mothers prepare a light breakfast of toast and milk for their children. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, and two main dishes are often served. The first dish might be a salad with seafood. The other dish might be cazuela de ave , a thick stew of chicken, potatoes, rice, green peppers, and, occasionally, onions. Chancho en Piedra (Chili and Tomato Spread) is often served with bread as an accompaniment to meals, or may be eaten by students as a snack. In small towns, businesses close for almost three hours so people can go home and eat lunch with their families and take a siesta (nap).

Since about 90% of Chileans are Roman Catholic, Christmas is a major holiday that has a few traditional items served during that time. Pan de pascua , a Christmas cake made with fruits and nuts that comes from the German influence in Chile and also, the tradition of drinking cola de mono (Chilean eggnog) is served at most homes while entertaining family and friends.

Wine and Pisco

Chilean wine has become a very popular export in recent years. However, Chileans have been enjoying their vineyards for more than 400 years. The spanish missionaries brought the first vines over from europe in order to produce wine for catholic ceremonies and masses. Most people drink wine with lunch and dinner on a regular basis now and the exporting has grown substantially. The most common grapes grown in the Chilean region are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Carmenere. Wine tasting has become a newer tourist attraction as the vineyard business rises.

Another popular alcoholic drink in Chile is the famous Pisco Sours. Pisco is a strong, colorless brandy and when combined with sweet and sour mixture it can be quite enjoyable and refreshing.