- published: 15 Nov 2015
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Inca cuisine originated in pre-Columbian times within the Inca civilization from the 13th to the 16th century. The Inca civilization stretched across many different regions, which meant that there was a great diversity of plants and animals used for cooking, many of which remain unknown outside Peru. The most important staples were various tubers, roots, and grains. Maize was of high prestige, but could not be grown as extensively as it was further north. The most common sources of meat were guinea pigs and llamas, and dried fish was common.
Amaranth was one of the staple foods of the Incas, and it is known as kiwicha in the Andes today. In addition, they used amaranth to create effigies of animals that were used in religious ceremonies. Later, the Spanish would ban the use of amaranth for this reason. There were also several types of edible clay, like pasa, which was used as sauce for potatoes and other tubers and chaco something associated with the poor or religiously devout. Just like in the rest of Central and South America chili peppers were an important and highly praised part of the diet.