Peruvian supermarkets and outdoor food markets are such a rich treasure. Few other places in the world offer such a delicious and amazing variety of fruits and veggies, with flavors I can’t even describe! Seriously, some of these fruits—like Chirimoya, for example—taste like… Chirimoya? Sweet, light, and refreshing, but also creamy and custardy. SO ridiculously delicious! It’s used to make custards, ice creams, and even to fill chocolates in Peru.
If most people you met had never tasted a strawberry, how would you describe it?
Peru is one of the top culinary destinations in the world. As a native Peruvian who has lived in the United States for nearly 20 years, my biggest cultural shock was the contrast between supermarkets in both countries.
Wondering what’s so special about Peruvian supermarkets? Let’s explore.
1- Supermarkets in Peru (and all stores) include tax in the printed prices.
As of today, 1 American dollar is 3.78 Peruvian Soles. So, let’s say $10 is a little less than 40 Soles. This is important because it puts the prices of food in perspective.
When I go to the supermarket and grab items worth 35 Soles, then go pay, my bill is exactly that—35 Soles. Tax is already built into the prices, from clothes to liquor to wine to food.
In Georgia, where I live, sales tax is 7.38%, and liquor sales tax is about 10% when you buy at the store. In U.S. stores, something with a sticker price of $10 is never actually $10 unless you’re exploring an outdoor cash-only market.
It may not seem like much, but it is significant.
2- Everything natural is affordable. Everything processed is expensive.
This was the biggest shock to me. Having always grown up with an abundance of natural fruits and veggies in my house, seeing the same picture would cost 4 or 5 times more in the United States.
While things like processed pasta sauces, pastas, breads, and generally boxed items can cost a couple of dollars in the U.S., those types of items are sold at a premium here.
I have NEVER met any Peruvians who buy jars of pasta sauce. It’s far better to make your own, and it’s also far cheaper here. You can tell the demand is so low—it’s difficult to even find these items in the supermarkets.
In contrast, there are entire aisles—walls of pasta sauce jars in American supermarkets, from Alfredo to Arrabbiata, from dirt cheap to $15 a jar.
The most important thing to understand is that Peru produces all kinds of fruits and vegetables with its fertile soils and variety of climates throughout the coast, mountains, and rainforest regions. So, it just makes sense for natural foods to be affordable and plentiful.
It’s even more affordable when you buy in season!
I had a very healthy upbringing, with my house always full of veggies and fruits in abundance. In essence, you can have a very healthy and plentiful life with natural foods compared to the amount of money you’d need to spend in the U.S. to make that a reality—and you always get the freshest produce since it doesn’t need to be imported.
Because of this, I HATE wasting food. If I ever have tomatoes or veggies in the fridge that I forgot to cook or eat, I’m kicking myself, knowing that I bought them at a premium and was forgetful and wasteful. I had one of those moms who insisted on finishing my plate and being extremely grateful, reflecting before enjoying each meal.
Those are the 2 big differences that strike me the most. Now let’s get into the little specifics that make me miss my home country on a daily basis. My dream is to transition into a fully remote work career so that I can relocate to this heaven of natural wonders.
3- THICC Carrots
Ok, not to sound super weird, and I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about why I get so excited about these carrots, but the difference is just ridiculous.
These are perfect, fat, glorious-looking carrots.
I’ve gotten so used to the skinny, anorexic-looking organic carrots back in Savannah that these are super impressive.
What can I say? I’m over that 90s heroine model look.
4- Baby “Biscuit” Bananas
These cute little bananas are called “Platano Bizcochito,” which translates to “little biscuit bananas.”
When I was growing up, my mom would pack my lunch with a baby banana for school. Not only are they extremely cute, but they’re also sweeter than the classic type, making them an excellent alternative to packing sweets for your kids.
I’m over 30 now, and she admitted while I was taking photos that she prefers the little kind too—no matter what age. So, she would buy these for herself and for me.
If you’re in the mood for classic bananas, they’ve got those too!
5- Yellow Watermelon
Something unique about Peruvian supermarkets is that watermelons are cut into pieces so you can really pick a quality piece to take home. Usually, the redder the inside looks, the sweeter your watermelon will be.
They sell classic watermelon and also yellow watermelon! It’s like its sweet, bright-colored cousin. If you blindfolded anyone and gave them a piece of yellow watermelon, they’d say, “Mmm, tastes like watermelon, just a touch more acidic.”
6- Giant Artichokes
THIS is my biggest heartbreak. During my trip here, I was buying giant artichokes, 4 at a time, for 15 soles at the outdoor food market.
That’s like… $4.
$1 an artichoke.
When I see the tiny, ridiculous-looking artichokes at American supermarkets for $6 or $7 a piece, IT IS NOT EVEN WORTH IT!! I’d pay that price if any of those artichokes ever looked like this.
Why don’t they import these beauties??
Ok… why am I feeling so passionate about artichokes?
Artichokes have so many health benefits. They’re very low in calories and super filling.
We don’t just eat artichokes by dipping them in a little bit of balsamic or apple vinegar—we also drink the water they’re boiled in to take in all the benefits.
I grew up eating artichokes, so this is a big one for me. I miss them so much.
7- Lush Creamy Avocados
There was a month in Savannah when the avocados were coming from Peru.
I was in awe. Is this real…?
These were the meaty, big, and creamy avocados I was used to. I thought it was a dream—that I could now get these amazing avocados at my local Kroger in Savannah.
No idea what happened that month, but it was glorious. Maybe there was a fight between the U.S. and Mexico, and they said, “No avocado for you.”
Then we went back to the classic avocados. Big pit (less meaty), more water (less creamy and oily), and just your basic B***h everyday avocados.
I love Mexico. They have an amazing culture, people, and food. I mean… all I drink is tequila. I’m a big fan. But some of the species of avocados we grow in Peru are just… like comparing 10k and 24k gold.
Peru sells avocados by species and by weight. They aren’t priced as “big avocados,” “small avocados,” or “organic avocados.”
Those big creamy ones are usually a bit pricier. But they are SO WORTH IT.
They’re sold in abundance.
Sometimes, they’re so rich and plentiful that we make avocado face masks while having a spa day at home. Letting your skin absorb the natural oils of the avocados leaves you looking radiant.
Yep, I’m 100% all for eating those avocados and putting them all over me.
8- Basil by the Bunches
This is infuriating.
How is anyone supposed to make decent pesto in this country (USA) without spending all the money they’ve ever had?!
North American markets sell you a tiny plastic shell with a sprig of basil.
If they sell you a big clamshell of basil, that gets closer to $10.
Peru sells basil like spinach. Each bunch of basil is less than a dollar.
I got so angry during the pandemic that I grew 4 basil plants just to be able to make proper pesto and cook with it. Also for making basil vinaigrettes, sautéing julienned basil with potatoes and onions, etc.
For heaven’s sake. Basil is not just a garnish.
Why can’t it be sold like spinach in the U.S. too?
There’s a variation of pesto spaghetti made here that looks and feels like spaghetti Alfredo and pesto spaghetti had a baby. The specialty is called “Tallarines Verdes,” which translates to green noodles, and it’s a must-try dish.
9- Spicy Yellow Peppers
While serrano peppers and jalapeños are widely available in the U.S., our spicy pepper par excellence doesn’t grow anywhere else in the world. Like many of our exotic fruits and veggies, it’s not well known or in high enough demand to justify being imported to the U.S.
It’s called “Ají Amarillo,” which translates to yellow pepper.
It tastes nothing like orange bell peppers. It’s very spicy and delicious.
Cutting out the veins and removing the seeds leaves you with the flavorful pepper without all the heat.
Many Peruvian specialty dishes are made with this pepper, and they have that distinct flavor. So, when people ask me to make some typical Peruvian food, it’s sometimes difficult since the main ingredients often only grow in Peru.
Typical specialties using this pepper include “Ceviche,” “Papa a la Huancaína,” and “Ají de Gallina.”
Final Thoughts
There’s so much more to say—I could write a hundred articles talking about the magic of these markets. The flavors and bounty are unmeasurable.
I hope you can visit my beautiful country and the amazing Peruvian supermarkets someday soon to taste all these wonders firsthand.
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So many interesting tid bits! Thank you for sharing!
oh my goodness! Everything looks so fresh and so beautiful. I need to live somewhere like Peru where the produce is fresh, healthy and affordable!
I know, it is an unmeasurable treasure. Thanks for stopping by!
I had no idea that the taxing on goods was so different.