Puerto Rico, which is officially known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is a 3,500 square mile territory of the United States that is located in the northeastern Caribbean. It is not just one island, but in fact, it is a small archipelago made up of the main island and a few smaller islands. The current population is around 3.4 million. Puerto Rico’s rich history, varied natural scenery, tropical climate, and outstanding traditional foods has made it a favorite place for people from around the world.
Puerto Ricans often call the island Borinquen which is derived from Borikén the indigenous Taíno name meaning “Land of the Valiant Lord”. The island is also known in Spanish as La isla del encanto, meaning “the island of enchantment”. Columbus gave the name San Juan Bautisat to the island in honor of Saint John the …show more content…
Later in the 19th century the United States also added a great deal of influence. Now Puerto Rican cuisine has exceeded the island and can be found in many countries around the world. Locals call their food cocina criolla. By 1848 the first restaurant, La Mallorquina, opened in Old San Juan, and in 1849 El Cocinero Puertorriqueño, the islands first cookbook was published. From the diet of the Taíno comes many tropical tubers and roots such as cassava and taro. They also grew different varieties of beans and some maíz, though maíz was not as dominant in their cooking as it tended to be for the people of mainland Mesoamerica. This is because frequent hurricanes that destroyed crops of maíz but sparing more guarded crops like cassava. Spanish influence is also seen in Puerto Rican cuisine. Chickpeas, olives, garlic, onions, chicken, pork and cheese all came from Spain. Also the tradition of making complex stews and rice dishes is thought to originate from Spain. Whereas coconuts, coffee, yams, plantains and other root vegetables come from
Puerto Ricans often call the island Borinquen which is derived from Borikén the indigenous Taíno name meaning “Land of the Valiant Lord”. The island is also known in Spanish as La isla del encanto, meaning “the island of enchantment”. Columbus gave the name San Juan Bautisat to the island in honor of Saint John the …show more content…
Later in the 19th century the United States also added a great deal of influence. Now Puerto Rican cuisine has exceeded the island and can be found in many countries around the world. Locals call their food cocina criolla. By 1848 the first restaurant, La Mallorquina, opened in Old San Juan, and in 1849 El Cocinero Puertorriqueño, the islands first cookbook was published. From the diet of the Taíno comes many tropical tubers and roots such as cassava and taro. They also grew different varieties of beans and some maíz, though maíz was not as dominant in their cooking as it tended to be for the people of mainland Mesoamerica. This is because frequent hurricanes that destroyed crops of maíz but sparing more guarded crops like cassava. Spanish influence is also seen in Puerto Rican cuisine. Chickpeas, olives, garlic, onions, chicken, pork and cheese all came from Spain. Also the tradition of making complex stews and rice dishes is thought to originate from Spain. Whereas coconuts, coffee, yams, plantains and other root vegetables come from