Guatemala English language Magazine
Ask any expat what he or she misses most from home and food is almost certain to top the list — at times beating friends and family into first place. I know England is not exactly the gastronomic capital of the world, but there are occasions when I yearn for the most mundane culinary items from back home. I miss […]
Read moreWritten by. Dr. Nicholas M. Hellmuth and Daniela Da’Costa Franco The popular name represents many diverse edible fruits of Guatemala One of the tree fruits raised by the Maya long ago that is still enjoyed today is the zapote. Although there are several fruits of the same name, the popular nomenclature is pure chaos. Some of the “zapote” fruits belong […]
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Californians and Guatemalans share love of the smooth, creamy fruit, brought north from La Antigua Guatemala to the Pasadena area by Wilson Poponoe over a century ago
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Piper species — “Pepper” (as in “salt & pepper”) and Chili “Peppers” Written by. Dr. Nicholas M. Hellmuth Our salt-and-pepper pepper is Piper nigrum, which originated in India. There are actually three completely different kinds of native plants in Guatemala named “pepper” (or pimienta): pepper leaf (flavoring from leaf, seed or flower stick), pepper vegetables and pepper spice (flavoring from […]
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Formally, buttercups are ranunculus, ranúnculo in Spanish, from the Latin for “little frogs,” of all things
Read moreSeven Macaw is the False Sun deity, featured in the Mayan myth of the Popol Vuh. His name in the K’iche’ Mayan language of Guatemala is Vukub-Cakix. The perch and favorite food of Seven Macaw is specifically identified as a nance tree in most translations of the Popol Vuh. “This is the great tree of Seven Macaw, a nance, and […]
Read morePotent spirit opens new chapter for Antigua outpost by Brendan Byrne Not unlike its original customers, or more honestly its booze-filled reprobates turned employees, Café No Sé in La Antigua Guatemala has truly grown up over the last years. This change is fourfold. Firstly and ironically, some of the infantile antics and genuine boyish bonhomie that epitomized this legendary watering […]
Read moreby Kevin García There are many varieties of bananas in Guatemala. Bananas are very tasty, complete fruits; they are easy to digest and have many nutrients, such as vitamins A, B, C, E, calcium, magnesium, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, iron and sodium. They are particularly rich in vitamin B6, folic acid and potassium. The bananas most commonly found in Guatemala are Cavendish […]
Read moreWith two stores in Guatemala City, Organica has opened a location in La Antigua Guatemala. It’s like a discovery center for amazing products! Looking for Bragg all-purpose seasoning—look no further! Eco-friendly cleaning supplies, dish and laundry detergent, body washes, hygiene, toothpaste—they have it. Healthy cereals and almond milk—in stock! DEET-free bug repellant—check! Natural energy drinks? Yep, they carry several brands […]
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2nd Annual Sacatepéquez Festival Gastronómico Culinary fiends beware! Prepare your taste buds and tummy for a feasting, as July 17 is La Antigua Guatemala’s annual Festival Gastronómico in celebration of its patron saint, Santiago Apóstol (St. James the Apostle). The event, which runs from 10:30 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m., takes place at The Cultural Center César Brañas on 5a […]
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Pitaya season is here They are sweet, spiny and flaming red, rushing into your local markets by the dozens. Red dragons—in fruit form—are in season. Pitaya (dragon fruit) is common throughout Mexico and Central and South America, but is more popular in consumption in Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, Japan and China). The fruit looks like a prehistoric orb, a painted artichoke, […]
Read moreBut not from a vine, from a tree — the Palo de Pito The palo de pito tree is commonly found throughout the Highlands of Guatemala. It produces a bright red bean, which is used for divination by Maya shamans. The book of Popol Vuh is very clear about the red beans from this tree being used by the gods […]
Read moreStrange and Delicious Fruits of June Regardless of location, farmers’ markets throughout Guatemala provide a grand opportunity to experience new flavors, textures and colors in fruits foreign to the extranjero tongue. If you’re worried about consuming raw fruits here in Guatemala, remember that a couple minutes soaked in low strength bleach water will kill anything looming on the skin of […]
Read morewritten by Hannah Freiwald Asociación Manos Abiertas (AMA) was founded in March 2008 in response to the urgent need for reproductive health services in Ciudad Vieja. Our mission is to offer a safe and welcoming place where health services are provided for women by women, in a respectful and confidential manner without discrimination. We strive to treat the woman as […]
Read moreThere was a time when food was just food. Saucepans were saucepans, cutlery was cutlery and kitchens were just … well … kitchens. But things are changing. Guatemala City’s popular household and garden store House & Green is fast turning local cocinas into catwalks where trashcans and wooden spoons deserve their place on the culinary runway. Since its opening nearly […]
Read moreLegendary liquid spreads to La Antigua A drink of legend and mystique, absinthe is making a global comeback that’s also reached Guatemala. Said to be the spirit that induced Van Gogh to lop off his ear and perhaps tainted the captain of the Titanic, absinthe was concocted in the 1790s by a French doctor living in Switzerland and promoted as […]
Read moreFeaturing exquisite, al-fresco dining, the second annual “Noche de los Chefs: 10 Restaurants Under a Summer Sky” is coming to Convento de Capuchinas in La Antigua on Saturday, March 26, 6:30-11:30 p.m. With proceeds benefitting the child-serving NGO CasaSito, the event includes eight chefs from Antigua restaurants and two from Guatemala City. In addition to fundraising for a good cause, […]
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A traditional recipe from: The Doña Luisa Xicotencatl, Antigua Cookbook (Spanish/English) 1 pineapple, cubed 1 papaya, cubed 1 coconut, grated 4 ounces raisins 4 ounces prunes 1 cinnamon stick ½ pound sugar Put one gallon of water in a pot and add the cinnamon. When the water begins to boil, add all the other ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes. […]
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Regardless of its origin, fiambre, in my opinion, is the supreme Guatemalan plate. If this is not the food of the gods, it must be something very close. Fiambre is only eaten on November 1st, the Day of All Saints, and it is so complex that it can easily take as many as 50 or more ingredients.
Read morewritten by Dianne Carofino photos: George Carofino What makes a farm “organic,” one that grows organic produce? We put that question to Alex Kronick as we tour Caoba Farms, his five-acre organic farm on the outskirts of La Antigua Guatemala. Alex began his business six years ago, originally selling organic produce to one restaurant, and then quickly adding a second. […]
Read moreSchumann, Wagner and Goethe met frequently to chat at Coffé Baum in Leipzig, Germany. Established in 1694 and Germany’s oldest coffee house, Coffé Baum still serves satisfied customers and includes a popular coffee museum on the third floor. In his spare time from his duties as choirmaster at Thomas Church in Leipzig, J.S. Bach composed his Coffee Cantata in 1732, […]
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In the kitchen with Asmena Pankanea written by Dianne Carofino Cooking with Asmena Pankanea makes me want to go to India. She seasons her dishes with stories of the people of that country and how they live. Of kichri, a combination of white rice and split mung beans cooked almost to mush, she says, “This is a comfort food. In […]
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Cheese Poker a tart made from four Italian cheeses: mascarpone, gorgonzola, ricotta and parmesan; on walnut bread, green apples, blackberry sauce with the aroma of raspberry vinegar. —El Pescador Italiano Nachos Supreme double cheese and guacamole, beans, sour cream, pico de gallo. —Fridas Baked Jalapeño Peppers filled with melted cream cheese and bacon. —La Canoa Dedos de Pollo strips of […]
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Banoffee Pie sweet honey biscuit base covered in a thick layer of caramel and slices of fresh banana, topped with a generous helping of fluffy cream, dusted with chocolate powder. —Rainbow Café White Chocolate Ice Cream topped with blackberry sauce. —Welten Capuccino Pie dark espresso folded into whipped cream, piled into a cookie-crumb crust. —Café Condesa Merengue a la Crema […]
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Coconut Lemonade a blended concoction of coconut, lemonade and spices… with or without a double shot of rum. —La Peña de Sol Latino Krishna Milk a blend of hot milk, honey, vanilla and a fresh banana. —Rainbow Café Café Glacé a delicious combination of ice cream and expresso topped with cinnamon. —Doña Luisa Xicotencatl Basilico tequila, basil, sugar, lime juice, […]
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written by Dianne Carofino photos by George Carofino No visitor to La Antigua—no matter for how short or long a stay— has savored the flavor of the city without a visit to the local mercado, with its stalls of colorful and sometimes unfamiliar fruits and vegetables, all separated by narrow, crowded aisles. It can be an enticing but bewildering experience. […]
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Grilled Veggie Wrap veggies slightly grilled with olive oil, wrapped in a soft flour tortilla with lettuce, avocado & cheese —Las Palmas Gratin de Portobello Portobello mushrooms au gratin with Créme Royal and goat cheese, vegetables and rice —Mesón Panza Verde Vegetable Soup, Everything we found at the market except the goldfish. Served with cheese and avocado. —Café No Sé […]
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Fettuccini with shrimp and crabmeat served with a delicious white sauce and garlic bread —Posada de Don Rodrigo Ragú de la Abuelita with spaghetti, beef, tomato sauce, herbs and white wine —El Sabor del Tiempo Ravioles de Salmón ravioles stuffed with salmon —La Casserole Espaguetti Marinara Calamari, chopped tomato, onions, basil and olive oil —Personajes Pasta del Día daily menu […]
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Leonardo Da Veggie garlic/herb cream cheese, avocado, onion, sweet peppers, tomato and cucumber —Bagel Barn Carnívoro delicious seasoned beef fillet grilled and smothered with melted cheese and fried onions —La Sin Ventura Restaurant Panino Mar y Montaña salsa panza verde, cheese, Italian salami, olive oil and anchovies —Caffé Opera Monte Cristo with turkey breast, ham and swiss cheese and house […]
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Bohemian Breakfast — two eggs, country potatoes and bacon scramble, served with a toasted bagel and your choice of a cigarette or a multivitamin at Bagel Barn (inside front cover) Típico Panchoy — eggs ranchero, refried beans, sausage or ham, white cheese, fried plantains, cream, orange juice, bread or tortillas, coffee or tea at Café Panchoy (page 73) Pancakes Andrés […]
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