Don't ever ask "Where does pisco come from?" if you have Chileans and Peruvians together. The same goes for the question of the arepa–the fights between Colombians and Venezuelans over its origin are never-ending. Most of the time, there will be some shouting: "¡Qué mentiras!" and other assorted choice words (some not so pleasant), but hopefully no one will stay mad for long. Like these, there are several other issues that will guarantee a fight between Latinos. Let me tell you what they are.
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Pisco
If you tell a Peruvian that Pisco is from Chile, they will probably unfriend you. But Chileans get even madder if you insist that this traditional aguardiente is from Perú. No one can really say for sure what the origin of Pisco is, so it's better to stear away from the topic and have fun making them compete for who makes the best pisco sour*.* Of course, you must declare yourself the judge and drink them all. ¡Salud!
Chile or Ají
North and Central Americans call it chile, South Americans call it ají, and although Mexicans have the world convinced that this spicy vegetable belongs to them, the truth is that botanical experts have declared that it originally comes from an Amazonic territory between Perú and Brazil. Just don't tell a Mexican if you want to live.
Arepas
Colombians and Venezuelans have fought for centuries for the ownership of the arepa. Funny enough, Salvadorean pupusas are also very similar, but they seem to be smarter and just keep out of the fray.
Carlos Gardel
Argentineans and Uruguayans will fight you if you insist that Carlos Gardel, the biggest tango singer or all time, is from the other country, although it has been established that he was born in France.
Dulce de leche
Another beef between Argentineans and Uruguayans is which country makes the best dulce de leche, although there is a version of it in every Latin American country.
Ceviche
Peruvians have claimed the exquisite ceviche for themselves, although there are many dishes of raw fish in different countries. Don't challenge them on this. They get offended.
Ponche Crema, Rompope or Coquito
Ponche crema, rompope, coquito–there are many versions of the egg-based drink and all of them are popular for the holidays. Of course, everybody thinks that theirs is the best.
Hallacas or pasteles
Tamales, pasteles, hallacas are all a dough and stew meal wrapped in either corn or banana leafs. Just ask a Mexican, Puerto Rican or Venezuela who makes the best … Let me put it this way, I hope you have the time to enjoy the fight.
Who was the independence hero where
South Americans will never agree about which one of their heroes made the biggest diference in the independence from Spain. In northern South America, Simón Bolívar has an almost god status, while in the south part of the continent José de San Martín is the man.
Flan
Latinos do love their flan, and the debate is not which country makes it best, but whose mom. Of course, my mom makes the best flan. Just saying.
It's not Columbia, it's Colombia
Latinos don't fight among themselves about this, but really none of us can understand why English speakers can't just write the name of the country COLOMBIA, properly. Really, why?
The best empanadas?
To me they are all heavenly, but if you want to have fun, ask a bunch of Latinos which country makes the best empanadas. They are all different and a gift from the gastronomy gods.
