From alpaca to alfajores - South America at Grüne Woche
Peruvian national dishes, colourful cocktails from Brazil, coffee from Colombia, sustainable alpaca products and music: South America presents cultural diversity from Venezuela to Argentina.
Miguel Gonzales Ortega came to Grüne Woche for the first time at the age of 19. At his stand Brenay Perú International Srl (10.2/115), visitors to the fair will find colourful scarves, hand warmers, headbands, ponchos, jumpers, children's jackets and socks made from 100 per cent alpaca wool, which he and his siblings dye themselves. ‘We want to raise awareness of the value of alpacas in our culture and heritage through our products,’ he says. The family business is committed to fair payment. ‘Part of the profits are used to rescue abandoned animals,’ says Miguel. The stand also includes a cocktail bar where visitors can mix their own drinks with pisco, the national alcoholic drink of Peru and Chile. Anyone who buys a packet of Peruvian coffee beans also gets a free coffee.
Empanadas, papa rellena and cocona juice from Peru
Chucha morade, the non-alcoholic national drink of the Peruvians, which is made from dark corn and flavoured with pineapple, lime, apple and cinnamon, is available at Americo Garcia Choque (10.2/136). Visitors to the fair can also savour a wide range of empanadas (dumplings) and potato pockets, papa rellena, with different fillings or try causa limena filled with tuna and onions. The national dish from Peru is also available at Gastro Familia (10.2/100), as well as ceviche, aji de gallina and other Peruvian specialities and juice from the cocona fruit, which was cultivated by the Incas and tastes like a mixture of banana and citrus fruit.
Recharge your batteries between coffee and cocktails
Those looking for burritos, tacos, wraps with chicken, beef or a vegetarian version with sheep's cheese and corn will find what they are looking for at Mexican Soulfood (10.2/134) and can enjoy a Brazilian Pitú cocktail (10.2/130). Colombia is represented by Café Sierrazul (10.2/103) and Café Ordonez (10.2/128), where Christian-Andrés Ordonez presents Colombian panela lemonade and handicrafts from the indigenous population alongside the home-roasted coffee that his grandfather used to grow. At Tropifrucht, lovers of Latin American cuisine can buy tequeños, empanadas, hallacas and other specialities from Venezuela, Mexico, Brazil and Colombia as frozen products (10.2/108).
The World Tour through South America is linked to culture, music and lively conversations. Miguel Gonzales Ortega has been exhibiting at Grüne Woche for 30 years. He knows the needs of the people. He has set up seating in his stand, which many visitors take advantage of to relax between colourful alpaca wool, coffee and cocktails and recharge their batteries for their walk through the world of Grüne Woche.
Argentinian specialities in the Sachsen-Halle
Anyone who has had a rest and is looking for Argentinian specialities will find handmade Argentinian praline cakes made from regional ingredients and rainforest chocolate at Munay Alfajores in Hall 21 (21/230). You can also book workshops with the owners Bettina Zimmermann and Santiago Gomez from Dresden and create your own alfajores, the typical biscuits from South America, under professional guidance under the title: ‘A piece of Argentina made by yourself’.
