On the streets of Colombia’s Caribbean Coast, the sound of a metal bell or the voice of a street vendor announcing their product draws the attention of passersby. This is peto, a thick corn-based drink that, beyond quenching thirst, is part of the region’s cultural heritage. Cartagena, Barranquilla, Valledupar, and Santa Marta are common settings where people walk through neighborhoods with large aluminum pots, offering cups of peto to those looking for a nutritious and traditional food.
Origin and history of peto on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast
Peto has its roots in the ancestral culinary practices of Indigenous peoples, who used corn as the foundation of their diet. With the arrival of the Spaniards, this drink was enriched with ingredients such as milk, sugar, and spices, giving rise to the recipe that is now well known on the Caribbean Coast. Corn, considered sacred in several pre-Columbian cultures, not only served as sustenance but also symbolized life and fertility.
In its most popular form, peto is a preparation that blends Indigenous tradition with colonial adaptation, always keeping corn as the main ingredient.
Preparation and accompaniments
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The process of making peto begins with the slow cooking of white corn, which must be softened until tender and creamy in texture. Once cooked, they add milk, sugar, and a touch of cinnamon or cloves to enhance its aroma. The mixture is boiled until it reaches the thick consistency that characterizes this drink, which can be served either hot or cold.
On the streets of the Caribbean, it is not unusual for some consumers to ask for grated or cubed cheese in their cup of peto, adding an irresistible contrast between sweet and salty. It is also commonly accompanied by soda crackers, fresh bread, or even pieces of corn cakes (bollos).
A lasting street tradition
Peto is not just a drink but a cultural experience. In working-class neighborhoods, vendors carry their large pots on carts or bicycles, serving the drink in plastic or styrofoam cups. This daily ritual has been passed down from generation to generation, keeping alive a trade that connects the community to its most authentic flavors.
Beyond its nutritional value — since corn is rich in carbohydrates, fiber, and minerals — peto symbolizes the creativity and warmth of coastal cuisine.