My first experience with the Fulbright program was visiting a fruit market in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. We got to try around twenty different fruits, most of which I had never tasted before! The market was full of colorful displays and unfamiliar fruits, and it was exciting to experience such a big part of Colombian food culture firsthand. Visiting the market was a great introduction to the incredible variety of foods that make Colombia unique.
Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, and its different climates and landscapes allow a huge variety of fruits to grow. From tropical lowlands to the Andes Mountains, different regions produce different kinds of fruit. Many of these fruits are part of everyday life here, even if they are less familiar to people in the United States.
One fruit I have especially come to love is guanábana (soursop). It has soft, white flesh and a sweet, slightly tangy flavor. Guanábana juice made with milk is one of my favorite drinks in Colombia! Another fruit you will find everywhere is maracuyá, or passion fruit. Colombians use it in juices, desserts and sauces, and they even put it on chicken.
