Mazamorra morada is one of Peru's most popular desserts. Here, you'll learn about its origins, its evolution, and how to prepare it.
Mazamorra Morada: Old Peruvian purple corn dessert: History, evolution and traditional recipe. Credits to comedera.com
History of the Mazamorra Morada
Mazamorra morada is a delicacy that can be enjoyed in popular restaurants, street vendors, and even the most renowned first-class establishments. We also suggest places where you can enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner accompanied by this delightful dessert.
Already at the time of the glorious Inca Empire, a fermented corn drink was prepared, which became purple and was called API. That preparation was the basis on which the mazamorra morada was developed. Subsequently, during the viceroyalty, Spanish and African influences enriched the original recipe by incorporating sweet potato flour, purple corn, and a variety of fruits brought from Europe. When those various flavors were mixed, the purple mazamorra originated, as we currently know it.
Origin of the Mazamorra Morada
Mazamorra morada: Initially, this dessert was only consumed during religious festivals, such as during certain processions. Nuns from some convents in the capital and women of African descent were experts at preparing mazamorra morada. Since the colonial era, this dessert has gained immense popularity, becoming an icon of Lima's and Peru's gastronomy. With the rise of Peruvian cuisine in the late 20th and 21st centuries, mazamorra morada has gained worldwide recognition. This dessert is a staple in every Peruvian recipe and is often regarded as one of the most iconic dishes of Peruvian cuisine.
Traditional Peruvian Mazamorra Morada Recipe
- Purple corn, three units.
- An apple.
- A quince.
- Heart and half a pineapple peel.
- A cinnamon branch.
- Three cups of sweet potato flour.
- Eight small nails.
- 150 grams of yellow raisins.
- 150 grams of guindones.
- Half a pineapple cut into cubes.
Preparation
- In a pot, place the broken-down purple corn, quince, and apple in cubatossa, along with the pineapple shell, cinnamon branch, and nail.
- Cover with at least three liters of water and let it boil for an hour.
- You put that and return the liquid to the pot, but reserve a cup so you can dissolve the sweet potato flour.
- To that liquid, you add the pineapple in cubes, the guindones, and the yellow raisins.
- Once the boil breaks, you add the sweet potato flour, already dissolved, and continue cooking for about ten more minutes.
- Once the preparation is removed from the heat, let it cool, and then serve it.
Where to try the Mazamorra Morada
Lima
Dulcería La Ollita: located at Mariscal Luzuriaga Avenue 403, has delighted Lima's palates and attracted national and international tourists since 1998. Its dessert offering is one of the best in the country; it highlights the rice with milk, the mazamorra de Chancaca, the Champús, and, of course, the mazamorra morada.
El Punto Dulce: As the name implies, it has been a sweet order sweet point for more than twenty years. You can find it at Horacio Urteaga 1399. His fruit shampoos, rice with milk, and mazamorra morada are highly appreciated.
Cusco
Yaku Restaurant: This excellent restaurant, offering the best of Peruvian cuisine, is located at 214 San Juan de Dios Street, Plaza Regocijo. Apart from offering a gourmet menu that highlights desserts, it also provides an excellent view of the Andes and the Plaza de Armas.
Mercado San Pedro: In this famous and traditional Cusco market, several food stores offer a purple mazamorra, elaborated in the most traditional style or with the incorporation of some local fruits.
Machu Picchu
Mapacho Restaurant: Located on the Inca Empire Avenue, 614, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu 08681, this restaurant is known for its specialties, including purple mazamorra. It is open every day from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Indio Feliz: This restaurant, Bistró, specializes in Franco-Peruvian fusion and is located at Lloque Yupanqui 103, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu Pueblo. Open every day from 12 am until 22 pm, and you can reserve a table.
Image credits to wikipedia.com
