Argentina Cuisine

The cuisine of Argentina was greatly influenced by Italian, Spanish, German, French, and Chinese culinary traditions. But most of the popular foods have European roots. Most Argentinians eat four meals each day. But the cuisine is different in various regions of the country. For breakfast the locals usually eat rolls and jam with coffee. Lunch is more substantial. It consists of meat and vegetables or salads. There is a tradition – before dinner people go to the cafes to drink espresso and eat picadas (small dishes of cheese, mussels, salami, anchovies, olives and peanuts). Dinner is the largest meal of the day, beef is the main dish.

Argentina is famous for its steaks; it is a meat eater's dream. The Argentines eat more meat per head than any other country. The national specialties include Bife de chorizo (rump or sirloin steak), Empanadas (pies filled with beef, chicken, vegetable or cheese), Alfajores (shortbread-type biscuits with caramelized milk sauce). As for the national Argentine drink, it is Mate Tea. It is cooked of Mate leaves which are grown in the northeast of the country.