History of Puerto Rican food

The history of Puerto Rican food began with the Tainos Indians. The Tainos Indians invented what we know today as BBQ. However, their style of BBQ was made in a pit using three to four large rocks and in the middle of the rocks they would place logs to burn. Some of the Tainos foods are to this day still being prepared such as the corn, yucca, and spices. They invented the pilon known to us as a Muller. This was used to crush spices, herbs, and other things. According to historians when Christopher Columbus discovered the island of Puerto Rico, the Spaniards introduced other ingredients such as garlic, cilantro, olive oil, and others spices.

Natives from other Latin American countries that migrated or wanted to claim discovering the island introduced other ingredients as well. For example, Mexico introduced cocoa to the locals of the island.

The Africans influenced Puerto Rico with plantains, cocos, cod fish, and their style of cooking such as frying.

Throughout the years, the immigrants that migrated to Puerto Rico like the French, Dutch, Italians In the end Puerto Rican food is a combination of all those influences that had migrated to the island. Our flavor is just as unique as any other around the world. With all do due respect the locals know our food as “la cocina criolla” (Creole food).

We strive to bring this rich and brilliant taste of history to you today at CAFE 787.