Colombian desserts : tasty and irresistible
When we talk about Colombia, we talk about joy, optimism and resilience. But there is an ingredient that lies behind these innate qualities of Colombians, an ingredient that shapes the country from its very essence. That essential ingredient is the very famous Colombian desserts . Desserts that also act as a fundamental axis of typical Colombian food and that accompany both locals and foreigners in the best moments.
Throughout this article we will present you 5 essential Colombian desserts to learn how to enjoy the experience of living in Colombia. Are you ready to discover them?
From region to region with the most delicious Colombian desserts
The time has come! You are about to be amazed by some of the most representative and, of course, delicious Colombian desserts . It is worth clarifying that this is just the beginning. Colombian cuisine and pastries are so vast and incredible that we will have to return to this topic later. For now we want to provoke you.
Rice pudding
Although it is believed that the origins of this dessert are Asian and that it was later spread to Europe, Africa and America, the truth is that it cannot be a more traditional and Colombian dessert.
The flavor of this dessert is undeniable. In its traditional version, rice is cooked in milk , always over low heat. As the cooking progresses, enough sugar, cinnamon and vanilla essence are added. If you want to give it a different touch, you can add lemon zest, condensed milk and even raisins.
No matter how you prepare it, this Colombian dessert will be enjoyed by everyone at any type of gathering. What are you waiting for to prepare it?
Figs with caramel
Another of the most popular types of Colombian desserts is the famous brevas con arequipe . The dessert is made from figs (brevas) and dulce de leche (arequipe). The brevas are cooked in caramel or sugar. You can add panela, cloves and a little cinnamon. When the brevas are ready, they are cut in half and covered with arequipe.
Nowadays, figs are considered one of the Colombian products. But the truth is that figs are of European origin, just like dulce de leche. With the conquest , these products arrived in America and, over time, they formed the typical Colombian desserts.
This is also one of the favorite desserts during the Christmas season.
Arequipe
According to various investigations, it is believed that the delicious arequipe arrived in Latin America by the hand of the Spanish. In addition, it was inherited to them from Arabia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Although there is no total clarity about these territories ( Tettay de Fex , 2019).
Arequipe is a preparation made from milk. The milk is reduced with sugar until it achieves the typical creamy consistency. Originally, this dulce de leche was white, but over time, ingredients rich in sodium bicarbonate were added, giving it the brown color that characterizes it in many areas of Latin America.
Arequipe is also known as manjar blanco or cajeta.
Unparalleled Colombian desserts : panelitas
First of all, what are panelitas? They are a delicacy made from milk, jam and special products from each manufacturer to give them their characteristic flavor. When these ingredients are subjected to heat, a mixture is created, which, when spread and cooled, hardens. It is then cut to give rise to the famous panelitas (Municipality of San Gil. 2020).
Now, the Copelia company was born from a coffee shop with the same name. The company ventured into the production of Colombian desserts, such as panelitas. These became very famous for their unmatched arequipe flavor and Colombian coconut candy. Today, these panelitas can be found nationally and internationally in multiple commercial establishments. They are the perfect accompaniment for any moment.
Cocadas
Another delicious homemade Colombian sweet is typical of the coastal region. It is said to be a dessert that came from Africa during the time of slavery. Today, it is popular in some Caribbean countries. However, Colombian cocadas retain their characteristic touch in any of their presentations. Prepared with grated coconut and the typical panela or condensed milk, cocadas are a crunchy delicacy to enjoy at any time of the day.
La ñapa: a fundamental ingredient in some Colombian desserts
Ducales cookies are, without a doubt, the favorite cookies of Colombians. A product of the Noel company, these delicious cookies, neither sweet nor salty, are created with “a secret touch” that simply puts them out of competition with other brands.
In addition, these cookies have an unmatched advantage: they are perfect for all preparations, especially Colombian desserts.
If you want to delight yourself with its wonderful flavor, we invite you to try the following preparation. Create a tasty sandwich of delicious Colombian sweet snack (from one of the most special Colombian fruits: guava ). You will only have to break up a little of this sweet, add cheese and put it between two ducal cookies. Perfect to spend the best of afternoons!
How about these Colombian desserts to accompany any occasion? Each of these comes in a variety of flavors, textures and presentations. The best thing is that they all make for experiences that are as Colombian as they are irresistible. Therefore, if you are going to visit Colombia soon or just want to delight yourself with great flavors, you will not be able to leave any of them aside.
Through these preparations and products you will discover the sweetness of a diverse, fun country with a lot to offer. A country that has its doors open for you to enjoy its incredible gastronomy and products. Don't miss this great opportunity!
Literature
Caracol TV. (2017). Brevas con arequipe: Many would swear that it is a Colombian dessert, but they are wrong . Cooking with history . https://noticias.caracoltv.com/series-web/cocina-con-historia/brevas-con-arequipe-muchos-jurarian-que-es-un-postre-colombiano-pero-se-equivocan
Herrera, P. (2021). Three things you didn't know about rice pudding . Delirious cuisine . https://www.cocinadelirante.com/tips/historia-arroz-con-leche
Municipality of San Gil. (2020) Milk panelitas. https://www.sangil.gov.co/publicaciones/263/las-panelitas-de-leche/
Tettay de Fex, JP (2019) Where does arequipe come from? Living in El Poblado . https://vivirenelpoblado.com/el-arequipe-es-una-golosina-que-encanta-a-los-colombianos/
