One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to visit local grocery stores and markets. In many developing countries, fresh food markets are still where the locals shop instead of the sterile grocery stores more progressive countries have.
The San Pedro Central Market in Cuzco, Peru covers many blocks near the center of town and all manners of goods can be found here. With such a standardized food supply in the United States, it’s always a thrill for me to visit this market and see produce that is never seen stateside.
This market is well organized with rows designated for a specific good. There is the meat section:
Then there is the cheese department:
With the bread row close by
But of course my favorite aisle is Chocolate Row
Peru boasts of over 4,000 varieties of Potatoes, and is the origin of the potato for the world. As the Andean people had to work with what little resources they had, they learned how to freeze dry potatoes high in the mountain ranges. For weeks potatoes lay out on blankets and are dried by the sun by day, and frozen by cold temperatures at night. The Quechua step on these potatoes to help squeeze out the moisture from the potato. The result is a variety of “freeze-dried” potatoes. Astronauts adapted the process of freeze-drying from the the Andean people for their spatial journeys. Two more popular ones are Chuno and Tunta.
Chuno
Tunta (left) with Fava Beans
What I love best about these markets is that it shows how sanitation and refrigeration does not always have to be perfect. The food offerings are always as fresh as possible, and presented in their more natural state. It makes me wonder if perhaps Americans take health and sanitation to the extreme and to the detriment of our immune system. If we continue on such a sterile environment, how can our bodies develop its natural immune system to fight bad bugs?
These markets also emphasize good ecology as shoppers come with their own bags and baskets and place purchased items in their reusable bags. The markets also are a haven for entrepreneurs and small business owners. No major grocery conglomerate here.
Reluctantly it was time to leave the market, all I know is that I wished I could have brought home bags and bags full of all the goodies found at the market. While walking out, this Quechua man greeted me with his basket of fresh fruit from the jungle region of Peru.
Categories: Foot Prints, Peru and the Inca Trail
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
I really enjoyed looking at your photos, I’d love to go to Peru and check out all the food they have to offer.
Oh my Victoria, you would be in marvelous food heaven ! Peruvians know how to cook. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Cool food and very stylish hats!
That is so funny, I didn’t think about their hats until you mentioned them. Indeed, the hats in the Andes mountains are quite unique. Great to see you!
Me too I like to visit local markets, anywere or at home. Sadly there are not too much of this at home, but there will be more. People want locally produced food and better quality than in supermarkets. A very good reportage as always, love your photos and comments.
Bente, you are far to kind and I am so grateful for your generous words. Love markets, and like you am starting to see an increase of them due to more demand for local produce. Support your local farmer, or even better, grow your own.
Nice post! I am currently reading a book “Evil Star” by Anthony Horowitz and it features Peru. Cuzco in particular.
Interesting, I haven’t heard of that book, and will definitely check it out thanks to your recommendation. Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you back soon. Bella
Yum! Yum! 🙂
How did you like that pig Maggie ? Ready to try to drag it off the table? Woof Woof
Looks like a very interesting place! I love to see these kinds of markets.
We would have fun market photographing then. 🙂
Excellent read…like you say, so much better than the sterile supermarkets…
Thank you so much ! How is it in your part of the world?
Fine thank you…winding down after the Olympics…and waiting for some half decent weather so I can get out into the countryside…
Really neat seeing all the different produce – I am used to the weird and wacky over in Asia but completely different things. No cheese or chocolate over here. I completely agree with you on the cleanliness/sanitation thing. Markets here have no refrigeration but hence turnover is high and things are truly fresh. Great post.
I can’t even imagine all the bizarre things you see in the Asian markets. Have you figured out what to do with some of the things? Funny how different cultures can give you a different perspective on things.
Love the markets! Wonderful pictures!
You would have so much fun working with the great ingredients they offer.
Thanks for a glimpse of the market – quite an eye-opener! Beautiful photos as usual!
It is my pleasure. I’d imagine that in your area you purchase from local farmers as well. The produce is so much better that way instead of a grocery store.
So great and interesting post and I really love your shots here – and they remind me how much I miss to visit Tunesia again and France – in England, Norway and my own Denmark could learn a lot, and for the time being it’s there I have to be because of business – there are some places there like this but not many…. 😉
That truly is surprising to me as I would think Norway and Denmark would like markets like these. It is true, the truly “developed” countries have turned their backs to this fabulous way of encouraging small business and healthy eating.
At least in Denmark, there are so many food rules, so it’s hard with that kind of markets – in many major cities there are openair market days in a public square – but it is most vegetables and fruits – fresh meat is banned from these places – there’re some locations in “Bazar Vest” in Aarhus where a huge factory building is a wonderland of stalls also fresh meat – the place is so thoroughly checked by food authorities that it is the safest place to buy food in Denmark – it is mostly immigrants from especially Turkey and the Middle East operating the stalls – beauty products – when I lived in the area since I bought a lot in these stalls – loved it.. 😉
Food rules stink! 🙂