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Welcome, you are in Marca País
Five weird food combinations you will only find in Colombia
Meet some of the strangest or most unusual food combinations that Colombians make and that have become a sensation for those foreigners who come to try these delicacies from Colombia.
Sometimes the strangest and most unexpected combinations turn out to be the best, especially when it comes to food. In Colombia, for example, they have very particular names like 'casados' or 'matrimonios', delights that, when fused at the moment of eating, become an explosion of flavors on the palate. What’s better than a combination of something sweet and salty or something spicy and sweet? As in Colombia, we know that there are no limits to experimenting, and we enjoy flavors that, although they may seem strange, are part of our tradition and culture.
Many of these mixes are traditional and common for Colombians, although it is clear that they are unusual combinations that may seem strange to many.
Sweet flavors are often paired with salty ones to highlight the characteristics of each ingredient. Who wouldn’t like the sweet traditional flavor of hot chocolate with the unique texture of farmer’s cheese? This is just one of the combinations that Colombians enjoy the most, usually at breakfast, in cold climate regions.
It’s clear that getting to know Colombia is also achieved through its gastronomic culture, as it is a country with great diversity and variety of products. Here are some examples of these combinations so you can’t leave the country without trying them.
1. Aguadepanela with cheese
Panela is one of the most recognized national products and is consumed by Colombians. It is usually consumed cold or hot, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a refreshment to quench thirst. Its sweet and smooth flavor is unique, and it can accompany any meal. However, in some regions of Colombia, it is consumed hot with cheese, which can vary between coastal cheese, farmer's cheese, or any other cheese that melts.
Another winning combination is with other typical Colombian products like almojábana, a type of round bread made of cornmeal and cheese, and apparently created by the indigenous Tolima people. The famous almojábana is dipped for a few seconds into the drink until it absorbs the sweetness of the panela.
Panela is an energy source because it comes from sugarcane. Did you know that this product is favored by high-performance athletes like cyclists? The sugar provides the energy necessary to push the body during long exercise sessions. So, if you’re a high-performance athlete, you can enjoy the benefits of this product.
2. Cuajada with Melao
Cheese is one of the essential products in Colombia and the world. There are several preparation methods that bring different flavors, textures, and finishes, adapting to all tastes and palates.
In Colombia, it is used in both savory and sweet preparations and there are different types.
Cuajada is a cheese with little flavor and salt, so it can be combined with any sweet preparation to enhance its flavor and texture.
For example, “melao,” a kind of caramelized syrup made with melted panela and a little water.
Melao is the perfect preparation to make a typical Colombian dessert.
This dessert is usually served like this: first the cheese, then a thick layer of melao that covers it.
Cuajada is also served with figs in syrup and generally with any sweet fruit.
3. Chocolate with cheese
It is a combination very similar to aguadepanela with cheese and is typical of Colombian breakfasts, which, for many foreigners, tend to be larger than usual.
Chocolate is usually made with milk, although in some regions like Antioquia, they make it with water. The idea is to serve it hot enough to melt the cheese. The cheese can be farmer’s cheese or double cream cheese, so it changes texture with the heat.
You can find this “casado” in any typical breakfast place in the country, and you can accompany it with bread or arepa, as well as eggs, broth, tamale, or whatever you prefer.
4. Changua
It is perhaps one of the strangest combinations, so much so that even Colombians find it strange. Changua is a typical soup mostly consumed at breakfast, with chocolate, cheese, and more. It consists of a basic broth made with milk, egg, cilantro, and is usually accompanied by almojábana, soaked bread, or toast.
This combination may seem strange to many, as the broth that is usually consumed is made with water, and although the milk flavor is the secret touch, it can cause various reactions for those who don’t know it.
If you're looking to try this exotic preparation typical of Colombia, you can find it in almost any typical Colombian restaurant; those found in neighborhoods, towns, and on the outskirts of large cities, especially around Bogotá.
5. Bocadillo with cheese
Another of the most consumed combinations by Colombians is bocadillo with cheese. Bocadillo is a typical Colombian dessert made from guava and sugar, something you can find anywhere, and it is one of the signature desserts of Colombians.
Its sweet flavor is delicious, but Colombians love to combine it with a slice of farmer’s cheese or coastal cheese to contrast the sweetness. It’s common to consume it in the form of a sandwich, and in some cases, you find it as cheese filled with bocadillo.
This combination has become a snack between meals or an energy source for both children and adults.
These combinations will no longer seem strange once you try them, and surely, if you ask any Colombian about the country’s “casados,” you’ll get the best reviews.
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