Can You Identify These Latin American Foods and Drinks?

By: Jacqueline Samaroo
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Identify These Latin American Foods and Drinks?
Image: shutterstock

About This Quiz

A feast of flavors awaits! Get ready to fill up on some of Latin America's most popular food and drink.

From Mexico to Chile, Cuba to Brazil, there is a wide range of amazing culinary delights which are ubiquitous throughout the region. Many of these are still made in the tradition of the Aztec, Maya, Inca and other indigenous civilizations who first called the area home.

All over Latin America, various breads, cakes and rolls made with corn are served at almost every meal. Some are flat for folding around a filling, while others are meant to be split open and loads of delicious sweet or savory filling stuffed inside. We know you can think of a couple offhand, but can you recognize all the ones in this quiz? Give it a try and see how you fare!

The dazzling array of colorful drinks for which Latin America is known is a testament to the vibrant nature of its culture. Can you recall the names of the yellow eggnog-like drinks from Cuba and Puerto Rico? How about that red Christmas drink from Panama or the purple corn refresher from Peru? If you know which ones we're talking about, then you need to dive into this quiz right now!

Anyone who is familiar with the dishes of Latin American cuisine is sure to instantly recognize many of these foods and drinks. Give the quiz a try, we're willing to bet we have your favorite in there!

churrasco
shutterstock
Do you know the name of this popular barbecue food?
empanada
churrasco
tequila
café com leite
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Churrasco refers to grilled meat as well as to the method of grilling, similar to use of the word “roast” in English. It is quite common throughout Latin America with variations unique to different countries and to regions within each country. Churrasco is often served with chimichurri sauce.

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tacos
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Can you name this scrumptious tortilla-plus-filling item?
quesadillas
guacamole
tacos
coquito
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The taco was a part of the traditional cuisine of indigenous Mexicans for centuries before Europeans arrived in the Americas. Their current popularity has led to Oct. 4 being celebrated in the US as National Taco Day.

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Crème de Vie
NydiasMiamiKitchen via youtube
Do you recognize this drink also called Cuban Eggnog?
anticuchos
tortilla
pabellón criollo
crema de vie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Crème de Vie (French for Cream of Life) is a Cuban drink which includes rum and condensed milk and is very similar to eggnog (and coquito from Puerto Rico). Crème de Vie is associated with the Christmas holiday season in Cuba.

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salsa
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What’s the name of this awesome sauce?
batido
enchilada
pupusas
salsa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The word “salsa” is used to refer to a type of music, a dance and, of course, a tasty sauce. Salsa originated in the Aztec Empire in pre-Columbian Mexico and some of its ingredients have remained unchanged. Earliest accounts describe salsa containing “tomatoes, smoked chile, hot chile, yellow chile and mild red chile sauce.”

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bandeja paisa
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Can you identify this plateful of Columbian goodies?
bandeja paisa
alfajores
canelazo
caipirinha
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bandeja paisa is a platter filled with generous amounts of traditional Columbian foods, such as sausage, ground beef, rice, red beans, fried pork rind, a small corncake, plantain, avocado and fried egg. It is said to have originated with early Columbian farmers who depended on its high meat and carbohydrate content to sustain them throughout the day.

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pisco sour
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What is the name of this Peruvian cocktail?
chipá
fried ripe plantains
ceviche
pisco sour
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pisco is a type of brandy produced in Peru and Chile, which is typically colorless or yellow-amber. To make a pisco sour, lime juice, simple syrup and egg white are added to the brandy. “Día Nacional del Pisco Sour” or National Pisco Sour Day is a Peruvian holiday celebrated on the first Saturday of February.

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feijoada
Rebeca Mello/Moment/Getty Images
Which yummy Brazilian favorite is shown in this image?
feijoada
rompope
ropa vieja
tamales
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Feijoada is very often referred to as Brazil’s national dish. It is a stew of black beans, beef and cured pork. The feijoada originated in Portugal, and the Brazilian version is said to be the creation of African slaves during the country’s colonial period.

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guacamole
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What’s the name of this avocado-based dip?
atol de elote
coctel de algarrobina
churrasco
guacamole
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Aztecs of Mexico are credited with the invention of guacamole. One little-known fact is that the Aztecs' choice of name for the avocado also means testicle (apparently that’s what it looked like to them – true!)

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arepa
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Can you name this South American staple?
arepa
chicha morada
Dorilocos
fiambre
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The indigenous people of what is now Columbia and Venezuela began making arepas long before Europeans stumbled upon the Americas. Nowadays, arepas are still a substantial part of both countries’ diets, with over three-quarters of their total population eating some variety of arepas daily.

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ceviche
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Do you recognize this dish of raw, spicy fish?
ropa vieja
Crème de Vie
pabellón criollo
ceviche
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ceviche is made from a variety of fish and other types of seafood which, similar to Japanese sashimi, is not cooked. It is marinated, however, in citrus juice (such as grapefruit juice) with chopped hot chili peppers added. Corn on the cob is one of the delicious side dishes served with ceviche in Peru.

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empanada
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Which typically meat-filled pastry is this?
empanada
caipirinha
coquito
fiambre
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The empanada may have originated in Spain, but nowadays several versions of it are found all over South America, Central America and the Caribbean. Empanada fillings vary and can include savory meat, steamed vegetables and fruit.

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alfajores
shutterstock
Which name is given to these sweet South American cookies?
coctel de algarrobina
alfajores
café com leite
mole poblano
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alfajores originated in the Middle East and were taken to Europe by Moors on a mission to conquer Spain. The Spaniards later brought alfajores to the New World where they have become a delectable part of the region’s cuisine.

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tortilla
shutterstock
What name is given to these multi-purpose wraps?
anticuchos
encebollado
tortilla
batido
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although it is quite common to see tortillas made from wheat, they are traditionally made from maize. White, yellow and blue (or black) maize are often used for making tortillas in Guatemala and Mexico.

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chipá
shutterstock
Do you know what this cheese bread from Paraguay is called?
chipá
tequila
saril
tamales
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chipá is a kind of cheese bread typically made from cassava flour. It is common throughout Paraguay, where a chipás festival is held in the southern town of Coronel Bogado annually.

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enchilada
shutterstock
Do you recognize these tortilla-wrapped treats?
atole de elote
pisco sour
enchilada
pão de queijo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The beginnings of the enchilada can be traced back to the Mayans in what is now Mexico. It seems quite fitting that National Enchilada Day is May 5 – same day as Cinco de Mayo celebrations of Mexican-American culture.

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quesadillas
shutterstock
What are these filled and grilled tortilla goodies called?
salsa
pupusas
rompope
quesadillas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Quesadillas are known to typically contain cheese (queso in Spanish) as one of the main ingredients. In Central Mexico, however, the cheese is very often omitted – but the cheesy-sounding name remains.

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caipirinha
shutterstock
Can you identify this uniquely Brazilian drink?
caipirinha
patacones
feijoada
tacos
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There is no doubt that caipirinha is a well-loved drink in Brazil – they’ve made it the national cocktail! Caipirinha is made with a distinctly Brazilian spirit known as cachaça (also called Brazilian rum).

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mole poblano
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Can you say what this chocolatey Mexican sauce in called?
mole poblano
ceviche
Dorilocos
quesadillas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There is a common misconception that mole poblano is an Aztec creation. This probably stems from the fact that “mole” is derived from an Aztec word for sauce and they were among the first people to make and use chocolate. The Aztecs, however, regarded chocolate as a delicacy and were not known to use it in any of their sauces.

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café com leite
shutterstock
Which coffee-flavored drink is this?
arepa
tamales
churrasco
café com leite
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Coffee may have originated in Africa, but Brazil currently heads the list of coffee-producing countries in the world, with Columbia taking third place. Both café com leite and cafezhino are consumed throughout much of Brazil.

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Dorilocos
Cocinando con Mando via youtube
Do you what this snack with tortilla chips is called?
Dorilocos
fried ripe plantains
bandeja paisa
chicha morada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dorilocos are a snack food which combine tortilla chips and a wide variety of ingredients such as jicama, cheese, pickled pork skins, and fried Japanese peanuts. The name changes depending on the brand of tortilla chips used: Dorilocos (Doritos); Tostilocos (Tostitos); and Takilocos (Takis Chips), for example.

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rompope
shutterstock
Do you know the name of this Mexican eggnog?
fiambre
encebollado
chipá
rompope
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rompope, or Mexican Eggnog, is made with egg yolk, milk and rum as its base, to which a variety of other ingredients are added. To find the origins of rompope you would have to go back to the 17th century and to convents of the city of Puebla, Mexico. It is said the nuns there made the drink based on a Spanish version of the eggnog.

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atole de elote
Carmen8a via youtube
Which warm and sweet corn drink is shown here?
alfajores
atole de elote
chicha morada
patacones
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Whether you call it atol de elote, atole de elote or simply atole, you are sure to find this corn beverage being consumed around Christmastime in much of Mexico and Central America. It has the consistency of a thinned porridge and is typically served warm as a breakfast item.

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anticuchos
shutterstock
Can you identify these Peruvian meat kebabs?
tortilla
pão de queijo
canelazo
anticuchos
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While several types of grilled meat can be used to make anticuchos, beef heart is the traditional choice and is still the most popular. In this case, the dish is called anticuchos de corazon. Chicken and fish are two of the other meats often used.

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batido
shutterstock
Can you identify these milky smoothie-style drinks?
guacamole
batido
saril
ropa vieja
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many of the countries in Latin American either make batidos or have a very similar drink. With fruit and milk as its base, the batido is a blended drink made with or without ice.

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fried ripe plantains
shutterstock
What is this dish made with large bananas called?
fried ripe plantains
ceviche
pabellón criollo
coca tea
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Plantains can be eaten before they ripen but must generally be cooked first. The raw version is edible when ripe but although very sweet it may be somewhat starchy. Both ripe and unripe plantains can be steamed, boiled or fried. Plantains are found throughout Latin America and Caribbean.

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coctel de algarrobina
Recetascocinaperuana via youtube
Which name is given to this Peruvian cocktail?
arepa
empanada
coctel de algarrobina
pisco sour
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The coctel de algarrobina is a cocktail made with pisco (Peruvian brandy) and algarrobina syrup (made from the carob tree). It also contains egg yolk and cinnamon, as well as milk. Its creaminess tends to get it pinned as a drink meant more for women than men.

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ropa vieja
shutterstock
Do you recognize this mouthwatering pulled beef dish?
patacones
enchilada
ropa vieja
quesadillas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Its name may translate to “old clothes,” but there certainly isn’t anything shabby about this succulent dish of pulled beef and vegetables. It is the national dish of Cuba where it is said to have been created in the capital of Havana during colonial times.

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pupusas
shutterstock
What are these savory stuffed tortillas from El Salvador called?
rompope
pupusas
feijoada
mole poblano
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pupusas are an integral part of Salvadoran cuisine. They are stuffed with combinations of fillings such as beans and cheese (frijol con queso). Pork and loroco flowers are the other popular choices.

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canelazo
Pat Ossa/Moment/Getty Images
Which steamy cinnamon cocktail is shown here?
canelazo
salsa
arepa
tacos
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Canelazos are made with hot cinnamon water plus an alcohol made from sugar cane, generally known as aguardiente. The canelazo cocktail can be found in regions of Ecuador, Columbia, Peru and Argentina, where it is used as a warming way to beat the cold temperatures high in the Andes Mountains.

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pão de queijo
shutterstock
Which name is given to this Brazilian cheese bread?
saril
encebollado
pão de queijo
alfajores
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cassava (or tapioca) flour is used to make pão de queijo, or Brazilian cheese bread. That’s good news for those who are on a gluten-free diet since cassava does not contain gluten. Those of us with a sweet tooth will be equally happy to know that these everyday breakfast staples are often filled with either Dulce de leche or guava paste.

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tamales
shutterstock
Can you named these wrapped and steamed goodies?
batido
Crème de Vie
feijoada
tamales
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tamales are normally cooked wrapped in corn husk or a piece of banana leaf with the wrapping removed before eating – usually. There is a report of President Gerald Ford biting into a still-wrapped tamale while visiting the Alamo in 1976. That mishap has gone down in history as The Great Tamale Incident!

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coquito
shutterstock
Can you spot the name given to this Puerto Rican eggnog?
anticuchos
fried ripe plantains
pisco sour
coquito
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Coquito is symbolic of the Christmas season for Puerto Ricans. It is a mix of coconut milk, rum and condensed milk with spices added in according to family traditions of making the drink. Recipes can be closely guarded family secrets, with each one boasting that perfect combination of body, alcohol and overall flavor.

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fiambre
shutterstock
Which all-in-one dish from Guatemala is this?
churrasco
fiambre
mole poblano
tequila
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fiambre holds special significance for Guatemalans. It is served in celebration of the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) as a way to remember and honor loved ones who have died. The dish traditionally consists of dozens of ingredients, including cheese and various meats.

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tequila
shutterstock
What is the name of this Mexican alcohol?
coca tea
enchilada
salsa
tequila
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tequila is a uniquely Mexican creation. Internationally recognized law dictates that the drink must be made in Mexico (and only in designated regions of the country) in order to legally be called tequila.

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pabellón criollo
shutterstock
Do you know the name of this hearty Venezuelan meal?
empanada
pabellón criollo
coctel de algarrobina
pão de queijo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pabellón criollo traditionally contains pulled beef, stewed black beans, rice and fried ripe plantain. Some people like to add a fried egg to the dish “riding” on top of it all, in which case, the dish is called pabellón a caballo (since “a caballo” is Spanish for horseback riding).

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encebollado
shutterstock
What name is given to this tuna fish soup from Ecuador?
coquito
encebollado
chipá
tortilla
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tuna is traditionally the go-to fish for making encebollado, which usually also contains cassava (tapioca). A topping of lime-pickled red onion rings is often added, along with a side dish of fried ripe plantain.

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chicha morada
shutterstock
Can you identify this drink made of purple corn?
chicha morada
bandeja paisa
coca tea
bandeja paisa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bottled chicha morada is sold extensively throughout Peru, as are various powdered chicha morada drink mixes. The pretty purple beverage can be easily made at home, however, by boiling dried purple corn, pineapple peel and cinnamon, then adding lime juice once it’s done.

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coca tea
shutterstock
Do you know the name of this warm drink?
tacos
Dorilocos
coca tea
pupusas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Coca tea is made from the leaves of the same plant from which cocaine is derived. While the tea does contain a stimulant, it’s not in sufficient quantity to be likened to the drug. Coca tea is a favorite among people of the Andes.

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patacones
shutterstock
Which green plantain dish is shown here?
patacones
Crème de Vie
atole de elote
café com leite
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While you can slice the plantains in any direction when making patacones, circles are the preferred shape. Some people also like the finished patacones to be very thin and wide because they are crisper and able to hold more topping. Better yet are patacones shaped like cups – that way they hold even more of your favorite topping!

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saril
shutterstock
Do you know what this refreshing red drink is called?
canelazo
guacamole
saril
caipirinha
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Known as sorrel throughout much of the Caribbean, this deep-red drink is called saril in Panama, where both its flowers and fruits are used. The drink is most popular during Christmastime but can be found year-round.

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