Here we will feature recipes, Ecuadorian restaurants, and food products from Ecuador.

Here is a short-primer on Ecuadorian food.

An RPCV-founded firm Inca Organics imports organic bulk quinoa into the U.S. with consumer availability throughout the U.S. including many Whole Foods and Fresh Fields grocery stores. This firm works with indigenous groups in the Sierra through a project that has won international awards for its contribution to development. Check their website to find where to buy Ecuadorian quinoa near you! A great site for quinoa recipes.

Limited number of copies of the new PCV cookbook are available for $20 (plus $4 shipping).  The cookbooks are produced in Quito and the proceeds support community projects in Ecuador.  It contains traditional Ecuadorian recipes, variations on North American favorites, as well as nutritional information on foods found throughout Ecuador and a section of herbal remedies for common ailments.  There is a glossary of culinary terms in English and Spanish.  All the recipes are in English. 

If you would like to order a copy, click on the "Buen Provecho" cover below to place a credit card order on our secure server.  If you would prefer to send a check, please contact Ben Bellows at foe@friendsofecuador.org. 

Beer in Ecuador was introduced at the turn of the century by a company called Cerveceria Nacional, the original beer factory was located in the "Barrio Las Peñas", the traditional neighborhood in Guayaquil.

There are 4 main beer producers in Ecuador, and since 2 of them (Cerveceria Nacional and Cerveceria Andina) are of the same group and produce the same brands, you could narrow that to just 3, but either way I'll list all 4 of them:

• Cerveceria Nacional.- Ecuador's first and biggest beer maker, they produce Pilsener, Club, Nevada and Chop beer. Located in Guayaquil.
• Cerveceria Andina.- Of the same group than Cerveceria Nacional, they produce the same brands of beer, but are located in Quito.
• Cerveza Nevada.- A new brewer, produces a Pilsener type beer called Nevada (Snowy), they are relatively new, but their beer is ok.
• Cerveceria Sudamericana.- Producers of Biela® beer. With the money they stole from the clients of the Filanbanco bank, the Isaías family made this ultra modern brewery. The beer is of very high quality, although for my taste it Sucks. You shouldn't confuse the brand name Biela® with the word "biela" used to denote any beer. This is a lager type beer.

In recent years (10 - 15 years) some foreign beers have come into the market, you can find almost any brand of foreign beer in the country. But, since local beer is rather good (At least it's better than the American ones), people still prefer the national brands.
This has been encouraged by a strong marketing campaign by the main producer to maintain it's market and the development of new presentations. By the way, Cerveceria Nacional has even started exporting beer to other countries with their Export brand "Club Verde".

Information originally posted at: http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/1155/ec_beer.html