Costa Ricans love their typical food, perhaps because the freshness and quality of their ingredients give it a special touch. However, it should not be forgotten that this gastronomy has received several influences from other cultures, resulting in a range of dishes with distinctive and exquisite flavors.
Basic ingredients are rice and beans, which are combined with various meats to offer a culinary option with high nutritional value. Pork is used much more than beef, so you will find a variety of dishes that include pork chops, chicharrones, and even pig's feet. Chicken is also a main ingredient, with the delicious rice with chicken being a must-have.
However, it must be recognized that it has also received influences from other cultures and customs, which have contributed their best. We will see an Afro-Caribbean influence in coastal cuisine, with delicious dishes that include tubers like ñame and yucca, vegetables like ackee and quimbombó, and tropical fruits like coconut and plantains.
British influence can also be observed, coming directly from Jamaica, as it was a British colony. Therefore, you can enjoy Jamaican fried dumplings that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, delicious tarts, and that wonderful popular granizado that drives everyone crazy—Churchill. This is a combination of shaved ice with cola syrup, powdered milk, condensed milk, fruits, and ice cream—a true delight for the palate.
Undoubtedly, Costa Rican cuisine is delicious and diverse, with many flavors coming from other regions, but they have certainly contributed to giving the Tico cuisine its own identity.
