Bangkok Post had a chance to participate in 3 Peruvian food promotion by the Peruvian Embassy which were “Peruvian Food and Pisco” on November 11 at Food School Bangkok, which allowed the public to join cooking demonstration of Peruvian dish – the seabass ceviche and fish and shrimp Tiradito by the Peruvian chef and mix cocktail from the Peruvian national spirit named “Pisco”. Then, on November 13, the embassy held “Andean Elegance: A Pisco and Wine Affair” at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel to allow public to taste Peruvian wine and its national spirit. Lastly, on November 14 at Promperu Asean, it held “the Peruvian Coffee Cupping: From Andean Beans to Thai Brews” to allow the coffee lovers in public to taste and experience variety of coffee beans grown in Peru, in which wide ranges of local Peruvian coffees with the collaboration of 11 Peruvian associations and communities. Bangkok Post had a chance to talk with the Peruvian Ambassador Cecilia Galarreta about these three events after the events ended that the events were the collaboration with the Peruvian Economic and Trade Office for Asean, as well as with the local private Thai and Peruvian enterprises, to showcase the richness of Peruvian cuisine, beverage and coffee in Thailand. “Peruvian cuisine, wine, and coffee are highly significant to Peruvian culture, representing a rich tapestry of flavors, traditions, and historical influences. Peruvian cuisine is renowned for its diverse range of ingredients, owing to Peru's varied geography, which includes coastal, Andean, and Amazonian regions. As an example, over 4,000 varieties of native potatoes thrive in the Peruvian highlands. Additionally, Peruvian cuisine has been shaped by indigenous ingredients, as well as the culinary contributions of Spanish, African, and Asian immigrants, such as the Chinese and Japanese. This fusion has created a gastronomic identity that is both distinct and flavorful,” she explained. On wine and beverage, she explained that Peru is the oldest wine-producing country in South America, in which it could trace back to 1540 and due to its diversity in climate and geography, it had made Peru wine distinctively in each region. For coffee, she explained that the country had long history of coffee cultivation and with the diversity in term of geography and climate – from Andes to Amazon forest, spanning regions such as Cusco, Cajamara, Junin and Pasco, it had made coffee in Peru diverse in tastes and smells. At the same time, she furthered that Peru had long been committed to sustainable and ethical practices. according to Fairtrade International data, Peru leads in the number of accredited organizations with Fairtrade Coffee certification, comprising 182 Cooperatives and Associations, representing nearly 63 thousand small coffee producers. Additionally, in 2022, Peru was ranked first in the global export sales volume of Fairtrade Coffee, accounting for more than 23% of the global production. “Peruvian cuisine, wines, and coffees are integral components of the country's cultural identity, reflecting a harmonious blend of traditions, influences, and a deep appreciation for the diverse natural resources available in Peru,” she said. When asked about further promotion, she explained that , the embassy in collaboration with the Peruvian Economic and Trade Office for ASEAN, is actively engaged in ongoing efforts to promote Peruvian products. The embassy had envisioned expanding these promotional activities in the coming year. For instance, the embassy had been contemplating the organization of a Peruvian cuisine festival in the first quarter of 2024, bringing together Peruvian chefs from various Asian countries, including Thailand. “Similarly, in the first semester, we plan to host a more extensive coffee cupping event, showcasing the diverse range of coffee varieties our country has to offer. Regular updates on these initiatives will be shared with Thai companies and the public through our social media channels on Facebook and Instagram. We encourage everyone to stay tuned for exciting updates and opportunities to experience the richness of Peruvian culinary delights,” she added. Photo By Poramet Tangsathaporn   --------------------------------------- Published caption:: Coffee lovers smell Peruvian coffee samples during  the event, ‘From Andean Beans to Thai Brews’,  organised at PROMPERU’s Asean office by the  Peruvian embassy and Peruvian Economic and Trade Office for Asean on Nov 14. Poramet  Tangsathaporn