146 CultureShock! Chile
Vaina is a tasty mixture of port wine with egg white and
cinnamon. Aguardiente (fire water) is very strong, and is
also made from distilled grapes. It is often served around
Christmas in cola de mono, a coffee and milk drink. Chicha,
borrowed from the Amerindians, is made from fermented
grapes. It tastes like apple cider and is popular around 18
September, National Day.Other Beverages
Non-alcoholic beverages are also popular in Chile. Fruit juices
made in blenders are common. They are made with either
milk or water and may contain a lot of added sugar. When at
the grocery store read labels carefully, it can be very trying
to find a juice with no added sugars. Soda is consumed in
vast quantities in Chile. Most meals are accompanied by
juice or soda (bebidas) and if you request just plain water, you
might not be believed. For the average Chilean bebidas are
far superior to a glass of plain water. Soft drinks are freely
given to children of all ages, and it is not uncommon to see
Coca-cola being drunk from a baby bottle by toddlers. If you
are invited to a Chilean’s home for dinner or to a child’s
birthday party, be prepared for your child to be offered a
soft drink. If you object to your children drinking cola, many
Chileans will offer orange soda (Fanta) or a diet soda as an
alternative, believing it is healthier.
Yerba mate is very popular in the Southern Cone—
Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. It is a ground herb
that is set to steep in a cup or gourd and sipped through a
metal straw that strains the herb. After supper some Chileans
have mate, particularly in the south, as it is supposed to be
good for digestion. There are many herbal teas to sample in
Chile and they are referred to as aguitas. They include herbs
found in Chile such as boldo, rosa mosqueta, cedrón and paico.
Mint and manzanilla (chamomile) teas are also popular.RESTAURANTS
Only a few years ago, the selection of restaurants in Chile
was quite limited. Aside from typical Chilean fare, you could
find only Italian or Chinese restaurants and in the South,