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Peanut butter

Anybody know exactly why peanut butter and other common USA products aren't readily available in Colombia and the rest of S. America? Is it the taxes? You know, once it's imported it's $15/small jar. Or is it that the market is so small? i.e. only handful of people know how good it is, so it's not worth trying to bring here.

Working in Bogota with a colombian partner on import/export and was just wondering if this is something that no one has really tried to bring here. That just doesn't seem likely.

Although I would gladly entertain any theories as to why there is no peanut butter or mushrooms, or decent frozen pizza, I'd love to know if you have any experience or know someone who does that can shed light on it.

We would like to look into such a venture, but I figured this would be the place where if anyone had a clue about it - you guys would. (because I would think at least one of you would have tried it by now).

Thanks in advance for any and all input.

By donmia on Mar 17, 2008, 12:49 in Friendly Talkzone.

Waterdawg says on Mar 17, 2008, 12:57:

Not sure where you live , but we have Peter Pan Peanut Butter in Bogota and dam sure have Mushrooms . Price is a little high but nothing that would kill a sale ( PB )...

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LDW says on Mar 17, 2008, 13:00:

I love peanut butter, but it makes me fart like hell.

Peanut butter is not known through much of the world. I believe the peanut is indigenous to North America.

I know a German guy who came to this country in 1953. He spoke no English when he arrived. The German word for butter is the same as English. When on the train he asked for what he thought was butter, and it turned out to be brown, he first thought somebody had shat in it or that it had gone bad, until he tasted it.

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azunoman says on Mar 17, 2008, 13:20:

This stuff rocks, only one knife and jar. Robitcally injected peanut butter AND jelly!....I always take a jar when I go to Colombia. Anyone seen it there?

Ready, Fire, Aim

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Simon says on Mar 17, 2008, 13:37:

Last time I went to Colombia, my cousins asked me to bring them peanut butter. They told me it's too expensive there.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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ColombianoGringo says on Mar 17, 2008, 13:48:

don,

I would imagine it is simply because of lack of demand. Most people in Colombia have probably not even tried peanut butter and many that have tried it, don't like it. It's the same reason I have to buy some Colombian foods on the internet. Even in a heavily Hispanic town like Houston, you still see a somewhat limited availability of Colombian delicacies.

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dwr says on Mar 17, 2008, 14:23:

Colombians do not have much of a sweet tooth. Colombia is not the place to be for good pastries and cookies for example. Have you noticed you can't buy the soft maple like brown sugar that we use to bake everything in the USA?

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goin_south says on Mar 17, 2008, 14:24:

maybe because they have other things like 'arequipa'.
who knows?
ask la_campiña

..... leavin louisiana in the broad day light

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msaucey says on Mar 17, 2008, 14:25:

Doug, brown sugar is the same as panela.... Just not soft, you have to grate it....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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dwr says on Mar 17, 2008, 14:29:

Not the same. Brown sugar in the USA comes from sugar beats. doesn't bake the same. Have you ever tasted a chocolate chip cookie in Colombia? not the same

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ColombianoGringo says on Mar 17, 2008, 14:29:

"Colombians do not have much of a sweet tooth"

HUH? I have to disagree. Colombians love all kinds of sweets. Have you missed the candy kiosks on practically every corner? Also, Colombians satisfy the the sweet tooth with fruit a lot more.

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dwr says on Mar 17, 2008, 14:29:

I use the panela for baked bean and it works. not on cookies

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lpdiver says on Mar 17, 2008, 14:31:

Besides a lack of a sweet tooth they tend to avoid fatty foods which peanut butter definely is. Ever get a pizza there no fat no taste in general.

t

"cook some rice!"

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Saltador says on Mar 17, 2008, 14:33:

Yea, they don't have much of a sweet tooth. I never met a colombiana that liked chocolate or ice cream or any of that stuff.

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lpdiver says on Mar 17, 2008, 14:33:

dwr down heay in de south brown sugar is from cane.

t

"cook some rice!"

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dwr says on Mar 17, 2008, 14:46:

Yes but the sugar cane brown sugar is dry and brittle. That's the problem when it comes to baking.

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dwr says on Mar 17, 2008, 14:46:

As long as I have my lechona and bandeja paisa, I'm good.

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dwr says on Mar 17, 2008, 14:49:

Other tough items include: Honey Mustard, Grape Juice, Junior Mints, Bagels and cream cheese, capitan crunch, ect...

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ColombianoGringo says on Mar 17, 2008, 14:52:

Ha Ha. Bagels is right. Explaining a bagel to a Colombian who's never tried one is always fun.

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b bruce says on Mar 17, 2008, 15:12:

My last trip to Santa Marta ,I took a few boxes of Aunt Jamima instant pancake mix, syrup and some Sausage from Philadelphia. After a night partying at Rodadero, we had a pancake and sausage feast the following morning. The pancakes and syrup won them all over immediately. A good'ol American breakfast in beautiful Santa Marta, Colombia! I would be very happy if I could import Yeungling beer to Colombia!,

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msaucey says on Mar 17, 2008, 15:17:

Actually, I think there must be a misconception.... Colombians do like sweet things, it might just not be as noticeable....

Point in fact...
When my grandmother came to visit, she was really enjoying eating Ice Cream, I asked her, why, since it was pretty simple compared to some of the better tasting ice creams in Colombia.... She said that as a woman you can't just eat ice cream unless you're eating it in a social environment or out with friends... That it's just not right to eat it by oneself..... hmmm.... and let me tell you, she has a sweet tooth.... I of course, was perplexed by this comment, but, took it for technical social nuances in Colombia....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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ColombianoGringo says on Mar 17, 2008, 15:25:

I don't know where people are getting the idea that Colombians don't have a sweet tooth. We love everything sweet including arequipe, bocadillos, merengues, sorbetes de fruta, pastries, ice cream, candy, etc. Like I said, there are candy kiosks on every corner for a reason.

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rocinante says on Mar 17, 2008, 15:27:

If Colombia stopped eating cream the world dairy industry would go belly up faster than you can say Bear Stearns.

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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msaucey says on Mar 17, 2008, 15:30:

Bear Stearns.... come on... you can't top $2 a pop! Ay.... hurting in the pocket.....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

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NataliaV says on Mar 17, 2008, 15:49:

bbruce - florida sells yuengling?? here in GA we cannot find it anywhere! I heard its a PA beer...
Anyhow, I may try and do that on my next trip to Cali - take a good ole american breakfast. since my family can't come here maybe I can take it to them!

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Saltador says on Mar 17, 2008, 16:19:

Sorry my sarcasm on the sweet tooth thing was not clear. My novia, along with all her family, co-workers, and friends, LOVE chocolate, ice cream etc.
Hope it's clearer now...

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adrimm says on Mar 17, 2008, 18:45:

I think that things like frozen pizza don't take off in Colombia because people tend to value freshly made food more than anything pre-packaged or canned.... especially when the cost of the real thing (at a restaurant) is on par or close to the price of some mass-produced imported thing.

It's hard to argue with the flavour of freshly made things anyhow (chicken-factory eggs vs free run organic eggs for instance). Or home-made pancakes with fresh blueberries or peaches compared to the bag-version.

But with that said, no reason you can't cater to the expat crowd that craves the packaged comfort-foods of home.... I think that the expat community is really growing in Colombia and you could corner that market easily. Food is one of the most comforting things that there is.. I know times when I would have killed for something like the apple-juice brand I know and love.

dwr, if you think Colombians don't like sweets you've been hanging out with an atypical crowd. My canadian friends find some Colombian sweets to be *too sweet*.

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adrimm says on Mar 17, 2008, 18:51:

Have you considered tea?

About the closest thing commonly available seems to be herbal "agua aromatica", which is limited. I surprised myself ordering a cup of tea on the flight home following the last trip.

Tea is lightweight =affordable to import, maybe can even be grown locally, and available in the most dizzying array of flavours.

Take it a step further with an elegant tea-house adjacent where people can sample and try something that is enjoyed in vastly different countries.

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scarby558 says on Mar 17, 2008, 20:08:

I asked the exact same thing when I was having a bad craving for peanut butter! It is so so good! My boyfriend and I found it in an Exito once, but it was in this very small jar, cost like $9.000, and it wasn't that.. good. But hey! It was peanut butter and it cured the craving. So since that time... I bring my own jar with me :)

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scarby558 says on Mar 17, 2008, 20:09:

Just bought one today for my trip, as a matter of fact :)

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scarby558 says on Mar 17, 2008, 20:13:

Well I don't know about the Colombianas but the Colombianos definitely like those sweeties... of course I am generalizing. If ya'll ever saw my boyfriend eat a piece of chocolate.. you'd understand. He can make a jet bar about [________________________________] that size last for hours. It is pretty impressive.. he has some incredible will power ;)

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Robert Jorge says on Mar 17, 2008, 23:27:

I know brown sugar can come from sugar beets, but I have had brown sugar from sugar cane. And there is the old trade pattern that we learned about in junior high: Sugar cane to brown sugar, brown sugar to molasses, molasses to rum. Etc.

"Colombians avoid fatty foods"? Uhhh, where? I would wager a typical bandeja paisa is about 2500 calories and that 1500 of them come from fat. I am probably being conservative. Most foods cooked in the home are pan fried. Most people drink whole milk. Chorizos are like one big chunk of fat with a little grizzle and bits of meat. Chicharon - 90% fat with a little skin. Eggs are typically pan fried, floating in oil. Etc.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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Juanes says on Mar 18, 2008, 06:19:

maybe its because its not a very tasty product.......i guess its a bit like Marmite...you either love it or hate it.

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Juanes/

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Man Tequila says on Mar 18, 2008, 06:39:

It's not exactly hard to make peanut butter from scratch if you have peanuts.

And peanuts are cheap everywhere.

If Colombians go nuts for Reese's, you think there would be an opportunity here.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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PALEOLITICO says on Mar 18, 2008, 06:59:

Los gringos y su mantequilla de maní!. Ese es uno de los productos con los que inmediatamente se relaciona a los gringos. Nunca la habia probado pero habia oido hablar mucho de ella hasta que un gringo me la presentó y quedé encantada! DELICIOSA!!! Pero muy costosa acá en Colombia.

"Amar a las personas y usar las cosas; y no amar a las cosas y usar a las personas"

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morphus says on Mar 18, 2008, 07:19:

Yeah, make your own peanut butter! Theres a health food store where I live. They have a machine that lets you pour in peanuts and make fresh peanut butter.

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ColombianoGringo says on Mar 18, 2008, 07:35:

What I've noticed is that often, Colombians that have tried peanut butter have tried it alone and end up not liking it, whereas most people in the US don't eat it alone.

My dad tried it by itself when he came to the US for the first time. He was expecting something sweet like arequipe and didn't like it at all. Ever since then, he has refused to see reason and try a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

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mranderson says on Mar 18, 2008, 08:04:

How much does peanut butter cost anyway? If I remember correctly I paid about 7 or 8k pesos for an 18oz jar of jif extra crunchy at the exito in poblado.

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morphus says on Mar 18, 2008, 09:14:

Peanut butter and banana sandwiches are good.

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ColombianoGringo says on Mar 18, 2008, 09:28:

Hmm. Sounds interesting. What, do you slice the banana up or chop it up and mix it with the PB? Also, PB and honey is pretty good. They used to give us those in school.

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donmia says on Mar 18, 2008, 11:06:

Thanks guys for all the input. I always love reading the posts on PBH. Mostly because the topic changes so much and sometimes gets back to the original question.

This is definitely going to require some more research. But I will tell you this, my Colombian friend got pissed when I said there was no good frozen pizza here. They've never heard of DiGiorno's or any other rising crust pizza. It's the stuff we had in the 80s in the States: cardboard with frozen mozarella and tomato sauce. I would think pizza was gross too if that was all there is. And don't get me started on what Pizza Hut delivered us the last time I was here.

I like the tea idea, and he thinks that bagels would be a big hit here once you got people to try them. But we both laughed at explaing them to Colombians. I think they would eat them if they didn't know they were boiled first. When you know how it's made, it sounds just too weird to even try.

As for the peanut butter itself, I've heard that most every colombian that has tried it starts asking americans to pack it when they come to visit. I"m sure there are some that don't care for it - like me for instance. Ate it like crazy when I was a kid, but just don't eat it at all anymore.

Anyway, thank you all for your input. You may see us coming to a store in Bogota or on the Internet soon!

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dwr says on Mar 18, 2008, 12:11:

plus that cardboard frozen pizza retails for around 27,000 pesos. In the U.S. they go for 3 for 5 dollars on sale.

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 18, 2008, 12:37:

why do people like that HORRIBLE stuff, (peanut butter) it's disgusting!!!!

engage brain before opening mouth

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Strobers says on Mar 18, 2008, 12:40:

The last time we went to Colombia we brought along four jars of peanut butter for gifts. Three quarters of the family loved it and the other quarter didn't.

It makes a big difference how it's presented. I did a demonstration on mixing it with jelly, or eating it by itself in a tortilla or mixing up peanut butter and jelly in a tortilla.

You can also use peanut butter as part of an awesome stir fry, mix it with honey, or use it as a base for smoothies. Nothing is as delicious as a peanut butter and banana sandwich.

It's the kind of food that can be prepared a lot of different and creative ways.

"Life is too serious to be taken seriously"

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Man Tequila says on Mar 18, 2008, 13:05:

I love peanut butter. I miss it when travelling for more than a couple weeks.

Easy to make. http://www.peanutbutterlovers.com/recipes/blender_pb.html

Versatile to use. http://www.peanutbutterlovers.com/recipes/index.html

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poco says on Mar 18, 2008, 13:37:

kat1 quote: why do people like that HORRIBLE stuff, (peanut butter) it's disgusting!!!!

It enhances the flavor of hockey puck sized arepas.

Nutritional Information:

Peanut butter was developed around 1890 as a nutritious, easy-to-eat food that provides protein and contains many vitamins and minerals. It's rich in niacin (a B vitamin) and is a good source of vitamin E. In addition, exciting new research highlights the positive qualities of unsaturated fat, a type of fat found in peanut butter. An article about the study conducted by researchers from Penn State University was published in the December 1999 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Best of all, with Creamy Jif you get more fresh-roasted peanut taste than with any other leading creamy brand.
----------------------------
Colombia needs more good tasting peanut butter. Quite expensive,, BUT pound per pound more nutritious than Colombian beer and I’ve never heard of anyone having a peanut butter belly. Humm, market up 420,, gold down 23.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 18, 2008, 13:42:

poco i don't care how nutritional it is, I think it taste like pooh and looks like pooh and rather have my hockey puck arepas without nothing.

engage brain before opening mouth

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DodgerDogs says on Mar 18, 2008, 13:47:

Most Colombians seem to have arachibutyrophobia

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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poco says on Mar 18, 2008, 14:04:

kat1 quote: poco i don't care how nutritional is, that think taste like pooh and looks like pooh and rather have my hockey puck arepas without nothing.

Sure you're not suffering from arachibutyrophobia?

Peanut butter helps your heart and furnishes high quality protein, especially important for those that do not ingest meat products.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

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mranderson says on Mar 18, 2008, 14:12:

my wife also hates peanut butter. But then again I can't even get her to try it.

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rocinante says on Mar 18, 2008, 14:23:

"It makes a big difference how it's presented. I did a demonstration on mixing it with jelly, or eating it by itself " Strobers

Can you perform the peanut butter demonstration throught the country or is this just a family thing? If I briong a bunch of peopole will we get a group discount for the demonstration?

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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rocinante says on Mar 18, 2008, 14:23:

Donmnia - sure compete with Exito and Carrefour to provide products that are already here. There was a thread about this not too long ago about old age homes (Colombia Has Baby Boomers?) and Laundromats and other things tourists think would be a good idea. Jiff and Peterpan - Crunch or creamy or reduced fat is 7.400 pesos for the Jiff and the PeterPan is 9.000

I have yet to see a business idea here where someone is thinking about the mass consumer and their disposable income. It's usually... "Gee what would I want that I can't get....?"

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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mranderson says on Mar 18, 2008, 14:28:

I think the price went down recently. Didn't it use to cost 11.000 for jif? I saw it at exito for about 7.000 and I bought 3 jars cause I thought it was on sale or a price mistake.

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poco says on Mar 18, 2008, 14:51:

PEANUT BUTTER SAVES LIVES and helps those with HIV live longer.

In addition to the economic benefits of peanut butter production, the nutritional benefit of peanut butter has also proved useful in addressing Sub-Saharan Africa's enormous health crisis: HIV/AIDS. Peanut butter is rich in protein and oils, which are essential to improving the nutritional status of people living with AIDS. With improved nutrition, Africans who have HIV/AIDS can live longer and more productive lives.

http://www.africare.org/news/news_release/peanutbutter.html

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

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rocinante says on Mar 18, 2008, 15:02:

It's a floor wax AND a desert topping. Tastes great! And look at that shine!

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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poco says on Mar 18, 2008, 15:16:

ANOTHER USE FOR PEANUT BUTTER

Most cats and dogs love the taste of peanut butter so if you need to give your pet medication, hide the pill in peanut butter. It will be swallowed quickly and he/she will be asking for more.

Yep, a coating of peanut butter on almost anything that requires swallowing and "down he hatch".

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

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DodgerDogs says on Mar 18, 2008, 15:20:

Peanut butter is used in many recipes for Parrots
www.parrotrecipes.com

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.Martin Luther King:

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poco says on Mar 18, 2008, 15:35:

PEANUT BUTTER SAVES THE MASTER CHIEF

Reduce skipping or freeze up on game disks. Wipe peanut butter on scratched xBox game disks, then remove it with a soft DRY cloth before inserting into the console. Note: The BEFORE action is critical.

Skippy brand works best.

Yes, my Parrot loves peanut butter.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

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poco says on Mar 18, 2008, 16:21:

Quote: I think the price went down recently. Didn't it use to cost 11.000 for jif? I saw it at exito for about 7.000 and I bought 3 jars cause I thought it was on sale or a price mistake.

Maybe it has gone down? I haven't noted anyone posting the size of the jar? This photo was taken in 2005 at LA 14. The size is (I think) about 20 oz. EXPENSIVE !!!! Maybe 2500 exchange rate,, so price was $4.00 USD or double the price in the US. Checkout the price of PAM !!!! Ha,, $7 at todays exchange.

Hand made PBJ using US products applied to COLOMBIAN bread.

I purchase the 40 oz. size that costs slightly less than $5.00 at HEB. HEB is fairly low cost so maybe it is higher elsewhere?

The large 16 oz. jar of jelly Cost today is $1.99,, :PLUS, cherry. I haven't seen cherry jelly or combination but I'd bet it would be a lot more dollars.

Has the price of goods dropped in conjunction with the exchange rate, is there a relationship? Colombian has a 15 or 20% tariff on peanut products.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

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mranderson says on Mar 18, 2008, 18:00:

the approximate 7.000 pesos or so that I paid at exito was for an 18 oz jar of jif extra crunchy. How much does it cost in the u.s.? 2 or 3 dollars right?

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minina says on Mar 18, 2008, 20:30:

I'll tell you one thing many colombians haven't taste peanut butter and the ones that have tasted it end up not liking it. I have tasted with crackers or in sandwich, I just don't like it. My mom doesn't either. We Colombians DO have a very sweet tooth. We just like more the sweets that come from fruits like dulce de guayaba, bocadillo, mermeladas, o el infaltable arequipe. Why do you guys complain about it anyway? For what I've read here one of the things you find amazing of Colombian food is that even though you eat as much or even more than the US you still manage to loose weight. Why do you guys want to change that? Why would you guys want to eat in Colombia the same fat saturated, High fructose Corn Syrup made crappy food that you get here in the US?.

Colombian pizza...to low in fat....? Can you believe this? To me that is what make is it good compared to the pizzas here in the US. I have never had tasted so far a pizza here in the US that can compare to best pizza I had in Colombia.

Cream and cheese you do Find in Colombia...It's called queso crema, you can get from brands like Alpina or Colanta, very good indeed.

Colombians do like pancakes, the ones that have tasted them, the thing is that we rather have arepa, well at least me. Actually Aunt Jemima pancake mix you can get it at store chains like Exito. There is also a pancake mix of a colombian brand called "Haz de oros".

I think you could find a lot more products that you miss from the US if you just pay more attention, and practiced more your spanish.

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Man Tequila says on Mar 18, 2008, 20:49:

Not all gringos like peanut butter either.

But Thai restaurants seem to do well everywhere. ;)

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GregYohn says on Mar 18, 2008, 21:24:

Hola!

I brought a big jar of Smucker's natural peanut butter without sugar! WOW!!! Well liked here by mi novia in Cali! We had it on our whole wheat bread for breakfast today!!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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goin_south says on Mar 18, 2008, 22:08:

"" I bought 3 jars cause I thought it was on sale""

jus ... like... a woman

..... leavin louisiana in the broad day light

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Alma del Norte says on Mar 18, 2008, 22:21:

Didn't they get Mr. Ed to talk by feeding him peanut butter?

La vida es una rutina

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goin_south says on Mar 18, 2008, 22:39:

No se, but... let me ask monpirri; he should know.

..... leavin louisiana in the broad day light

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goin_south says on Mar 18, 2008, 22:51:

La Campina.... nesecito su ayuda...

..... leavin louisiana in the broad day light

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Alma del Norte says on Mar 18, 2008, 23:15:

La vida es una rutina

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morphus says on Mar 19, 2008, 05:13:

"I have never had tasted so far a pizza here in the US that can compare to best pizza I had in Colombia"

Where in Colombia is the best pizza? The best pizza I had in Colombia was at Parque Lleras but still not as good as New York pizza.

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billyb says on Mar 19, 2008, 06:37:

That's because NYC has the best pizza in the world.

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mranderson says on Mar 19, 2008, 07:21:

The best pizza is in colombia? I didn't think pizza was that popular in colombia and I figured it was because it wasn't that good. NYC pizza is the best.

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GregYohn says on Mar 19, 2008, 09:01:

Hola!

I am still waiting for tomato sauce on my Colombian pizzas!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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Bill Turley says on Mar 19, 2008, 12:30:

I have found decent Bagels with servicio domicilio in Bogota search for Mr. Bagel on line. A dozen bagels 6 each Onion and Cinnamon Raisin with a tub of fruity Cream Cheese was about $21,000. I am really considering making PB I have tried before with limited success. If anyone starts to import things, think about Apple Butter and Cranberry Sauce.

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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Robert Jorge says on Mar 19, 2008, 13:11:

I would have to say Chicago stuffed pizza is the best in the world. One piece is a meal.

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

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goin_south says on Mar 19, 2008, 22:28:

"NYC has the best pizza in the world.".....
yeah, and CHICAGO PIZZA IS OUTTA THIS WORLD

..... leavin louisiana in the broad day light

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Man Tequila says on Mar 19, 2008, 22:30:

I like New York Pizza better. Colombian pizza is pretty good.

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poco says on Mar 19, 2008, 23:00:

MUSHROOMS:

Mushrooms are plentiful but expensive. A discount store in Pereira had this jar on sale so I’d say this is about as cheap as it gets,, but maybe not.
600 grams, for about $7.50 US dollars. (about 21 ounces).

One 4 oz cans of mushrooms (meal sized) is 70 cents in the U.S.
24 ounces = $4.20

Why are mushrooms about double? Are people being MUSHROOMED ie: Kept in the dark and fed shit?

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

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scarby558 says on Mar 20, 2008, 20:10:

Mmmmmm nothing like a slice of New York Pizza! I like Colombian pizza... it is okay.. but, where's the sauce?? But nonetheless good...

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adrimm says on Mar 20, 2008, 20:20:

Ew, aren't there any fresh mushrooms?

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goin_south says on Mar 20, 2008, 23:38:

oh, ohhhh... dominos... jajja.. right across the street and handy as hell.. en bogota.
the colombians loved it.

..... leavin louisiana in the broad day light

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Juanes says on Mar 21, 2008, 05:48:

mama mia, and i thought the italians were the masters of pizza whereever they make it in states or europe.

forget the peanut butter mate, me da asco cuando tengo este tipo de comida enfrente a mi o en mi refrigerador, yo te aconsejas para buscar alternativas de eso porque hay comidas y frutas tan deliciouso/sabrosito...

i wouldnt go and find jam or english tea and biscuits or marmite when im abroad,

PEANUT BUTTER........AMORLO o ODIARLO

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Juanes/

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morphus says on Mar 21, 2008, 06:02:

Theres a lot of Latino pizza shops opening up in New York City. They all suck! Its ok if there are Mexicans serving the pizza but if there is'nt an Italian guy in the back making the pizza forget about it :)

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Lowell says on Mar 21, 2008, 11:35:

Exito now sell pepperoni style salchica. Carrefour sells fresh mushrooms. There’s some fairly decent sauces sold in the little squeeze bags,. Whole mozzarella balls are OK. I can use my Italian spices to make some hamburger taste like sausage. I can roll out some Italian bread or buy some dough from the local pizza place. Add some fresh cut peppers, onions.... It looks like I’m on my way to making an OK pizza.

In my quest to not have dry BBQ’d hamburgers, my latest batch came out pretty good. Took cold regular hamburger/carne molida corriente, measured the meat by using a 2/3 cup measuring cup, rolled into pressed balls, flattened and shaped by squeezing balls between 2 plates, returned completed patties to frig, got BBQ red hot, put on grill, waited until edges started turning color, basted with sauce, flipped, salted, basted, waited a couple of minutes, put cheese slices on patties, shut off grill, closed lid and waited for 5 minutes. Family quite pleased.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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adrimm says on Mar 21, 2008, 12:00:

morphus, I'll bet you'd think Napolean pizza (in Naples) sucks. It is different from American pizza. Everyone has their own favourite flavors.

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lpdiver says on Mar 21, 2008, 12:17:

Lowell...maybe dis here coonass needs to bring his meat grinders and build a smoke house when I relocate to Colombia!

Sideline income??? I doubt it will pay the beer bills though.

t

"cook some rice!"

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donmia says on Mar 22, 2008, 17:22:

roci:

I got the idea reading all the PBH'ers commenting on how they couldn't get peanut butter and other american products here. So my misinformation came from here.

It was merely people here lamenting how they wish they had this or that thing? As for the idea in general, it's a pretty good one in any country, not just Colombia. I can't think of a country or major city that does not have a specialty food store that specializes in many items with brand names from their home country. If you have expatriates, you have a specialty market waiting to happen. Provided they are not satisfied with what they get. Miami has a Colombian supermarket where you can get all kinds of stuff that they just love. Sure there are other products that are "equivalent" but they want their home-grown brands.

Having said that, the idea came solely from PBH comments about wishing there was peanut butter here. And lo! I was in the Unicentro Exito in Bogota and WHAM! easy as can be - small jars of Jif crunchy and Jif smooth.

Many of you laughed at me because I said "and other things like mushrooms." Well, read here as well that they weren't here. Guess what else has been in nearly every Cafam, Pomona, Carulla, and Exito that I have been inside the last week. Mushrooms. Doesn't seem to be a need for it. But the guy who was lamenting the canned mushrooms of home probably doesn't know the fresh ones in the produce aisle are even better than the ones he brings from the states.

I read a lot of the posts here. Mostly because I enjoy them and learn what it's like to live here as an expat. I have learned so much about traveling here, airline tips, where to find this or that, visa troubles and their solutions, etc.

I am grateful for all of those discussions. My post was based on erroneous assumptions of the country based on what I have read here. But that doesn't mean that I don't believe I can get good information here.

I've also learned that this kind of post gets some really interesting discussions going. This post, which was not my intention, has been enormously funny to me. The only ones I have liked better are some guy warning of the "dangers" of marrying the "incredibly beatiful colombianas" who are then portrayed as money-sucking leeches. Which then gets the female wing of the PBH community in a tizzy because all women are portrayed in a negative light and then some guys chime in "you mean you can get hot chicks with money?" and I just can't keep from laughing.

I wish we didn't discourage those so much. It has a certain midday talk show/trailer park scandal flair to it all.

Thanks guys for indulging my ignorance on the topic of foods available in Colombia. Lots of good foods seem available. Probably not a great idea for a business. But my partner and I already started one business and were looking for others. I just hope that when I'm a more experience American in the ways of Colombia, I will be just as helpful and considerate as many of you have been in enlightening me.

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adrimm says on Mar 22, 2008, 17:42:

" It has a certain midday talk show/trailer park scandal flair to it all"

What a refreshing way of hearing PBH described...... you do realise this may incite round 2 of this thread? I think I'll just sit back and read.

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donmia says on Mar 23, 2008, 08:24:

kind of the point

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Lowell says on Mar 23, 2008, 14:24:

Lp, Yea, I've thought of that too. My barrio goes nuts everytime I lite the BBQ. Say a place that opens ar 5pm and closes at 10pm. 12 on fri and sat. Lots of catering too. Simple great tasting food,. easy to pre-prepare and serve quickly....

So far on my small pension I'm making it having my 2 yr old as my main use of my time. I don't plan on having other children, so my girl gets all of me that she wants. I can see that the attention that she's getting is helping her develope and also be a happy child.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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Juanes says on Mar 25, 2008, 10:27:

i reckon the italians from naples or sicily would have something to say about new york offereing the best pizza in the world......hey but i need to try if myslef first......

the 'foreign' cuisine i found everywhere in not only colombia but every damn remote outpost from brasil through costa rica through amazon jungle and high mountains.....is comida chino...

every one of the 18 countries i passed in central/latin america and the chinese food is everywhere

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Juanes/

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morphus says on Mar 25, 2008, 10:37:

It has something to do with the New York City tap water. The minerals in the water give the crust a certain taste that people like. They even transport the New York City tap water to other states to get the same taste.

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Man Tequila says on Mar 25, 2008, 11:00:

Pizza just does not taste the same without trace elements of dead mobster.

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poco says on Mar 25, 2008, 13:15:

Quote: Having said that, the idea came solely from PBH comments about wishing there was peanut butter here. And lo! I was in the Unicentro Exito in Bogota and WHAM! easy as can be - small jars of Jif crunchy and Jif smooth.

I don’t remember seeing a post that said peanut butter was NOT available in Colombia. Quite the contrary is true. I’ve posted Peter Pan was available as early as 2002, but NOT crunchy and NOT JIFF. When looking at posts I’d suggest checking the dates.

The main comments have been PRICE, mushrooms and Peanut Butter are examples.

The 2005 price above (above), using an 2500 exchange rate is over 4 dollars, double the US price at that time. One reason might be the 15% or so tariff on peanut products.

March 2008 USD price, exchange rate 1850

As for availability,, SIX MONTHS ago JIFF (smuckers) started distributing in Colombia to major chain stores,, Exito is one of them. Before then it was NOT distributed.

It looks like someone saw a market.

A 20oz jar of JIFF is 9,000 peso’s now? maybe and that is a much lower peso price than in the past BUT even MORE expensive than NOW based on the current exchange rate. Which is is STILL approx. double the price in the US.

I’ll check the price next time I’m in Colombia. It’s nice that the Colombian people can eat healthy food.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

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GregYohn says on Mar 30, 2008, 11:54:

Hola!

Smuckers Natural peanutbutter with just peanuts and salt is GREAT! Loved here in Cali, but just available in the US for now.

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

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nueva york bombero says on Mar 30, 2008, 12:19:

NYC tap water has preserved my liver to a point where I can drink 30 Coronas a night and not do damage!!!

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Juanes says on Mar 31, 2008, 09:05:

nyb & morphus... do you guys drink the tap water over there in the big apple then ? here in london i pay 80 dollars a month equivalent for water services so i make sure i drink my fair share....i did drink it in some hotel/hostel rooms too sin problemas con mi estomago...

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Juanes/

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morphus says on Mar 31, 2008, 09:31:

I drink a gallon of distilled water a day. I'm not afraid of NYC tap water though. At work I drink a couple of cups coming from an ice despenser. I also drink from water fountains. We are reverting back to the stone age. The great thing about tap water is we don't have to go out and search for it like cavemen.

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lpdiver says on Mar 31, 2008, 09:36:

Morphus...not so sure drinking a lot of distilled water is a good idea. You see we need those minerals.

I worked in Aruba which makes their drinking water from desalinated sea water. We had a very high incident rate of kidney stones. It seems the "pure" water would dissolve them until they were small enough to pass. This happened at about ninety days.

Besides distilled water has no taste!!!

t

"cook some rice!"

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morphus says on Mar 31, 2008, 09:40:

The minerals in water are inorganic. Therefore useless. Distilled is the way to go.

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Man Tequila says on Mar 31, 2008, 10:13:

Almost all minerals are inorganic -- apart from coal, carbon, oxalate and a few you've probably never heard of. Some of them, like fluoride, are pretty useful. Nothing wrong with distilled, but nothing wrong with clean tap water either.

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nueva york bombero says on Mar 31, 2008, 11:06:

I drink tap all the time. I either drink beer or water.
No more soda, no more juice (well once in a while OJ).
Soda's probably the worst thing on earth to drink!

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rjstuff says on Mar 31, 2008, 11:32:

My Colombian wife didn't like peanut butter, but when she saw me eating toast with peanut butter and jam/jelly many many times; she tried it too. She likes it and likes it without the jam/jelly. She used to go eat Brownies with Ice cream all the time in Barranquilla - and they had street vendors bring in sweets of all kinds every other day - made with panela, sugar and other stuff. Colombians eat a lot more sweet stuff then I see Americans eat, but the kids here do eat a hell of a lot of candy and chips.

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nueva york bombero says on Mar 31, 2008, 12:49:

I absolutely LOVE peanut butter!!! I grew up on it.
While other kids were eating Bologna, I choked myself with PB and J. (not PB and H)

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Saltador says on Mar 31, 2008, 16:39:

I'm with Greg Y, Smuckers Natural (chunky) is the bomb.

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Lisa Zee says on Mar 31, 2008, 17:15:

www.fluoridealert.org/

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tejasmarcos says on Mar 31, 2008, 18:30:

"The minerals in water are inorganic. Therefore useless. Distilled is the way to go."

- dude, are you a biology major?

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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nueva york bombero says on Apr 1, 2008, 05:44:

Do you guys know how easy it is to train a dog with Peanut Butter?

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kalder says on Apr 1, 2008, 05:50:

Train it to do what? :(

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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nueva york bombero says on Apr 1, 2008, 05:52:

Anything you'd like..... Just spread it on and let your hound go to work!!!
It is YOUR dog!

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kalder says on Apr 1, 2008, 05:53:

LOL!!!

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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morphus says on Apr 1, 2008, 05:57:

Distilled water myths:

http://durastill.com/myths.html

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kalder says on Apr 1, 2008, 06:01:

Peanut butter myths:

www.peanutbutterenlargesyourpenis.com

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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aztec says on Apr 1, 2008, 06:11:

I have no idea if you can find peanut butter in Colombia. I will tell you that peanut butter and pecans are the only two food stuffs ever requested by any of our relatives in Colombia..

Now money, medicines and vitamins, cloths, shoes and computers are a different matter!

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morphus says on Apr 1, 2008, 06:13:

THe Incas ate peanut butter. Its not difficult to make.

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nueva york bombero says on Apr 1, 2008, 06:53:

Hey Morph - did the Incas have dogs?

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morphus says on Apr 1, 2008, 06:57:

Google it :)

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nueva york bombero says on Apr 1, 2008, 07:01:

I bet those 4-legged Inca bags of fleas loved peanut butter!!!

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Juanes says on Apr 1, 2008, 09:36:

yep the dogs go wild for it especially when you put a big coating of it on their ballllllls

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Juanes/

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El Polo says on Apr 1, 2008, 09:40:

DONT DO IT!!! it will hurt more than you think!!!

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nueva york bombero says on Apr 1, 2008, 09:43:

Never go Chunky!!!

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Apr 1, 2008, 10:08:

119 post talking just about peanut butter... and not one post hickjacking the thread heheeh

engage brain before opening mouth

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nueva york bombero says on Apr 1, 2008, 10:13:

Hickjacking???? Explique por favor.....

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Apr 1, 2008, 10:16:

sorry NYB hijacking hehehe

engage brain before opening mouth

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LDW says on Apr 1, 2008, 10:21:

Kat1....

You can always edit your stuff. I am always making errors when I type.....so I edit.

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Apr 1, 2008, 10:23:

Thanks LDW but i don't want NYB to look like a looney hehehe

engage brain before opening mouth

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Man Tequila says on Apr 1, 2008, 13:13:

No wonder the Inca cilvilization disappeared.

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nueva york bombero says on Apr 1, 2008, 16:06:

I do that all on my OWN!!! But thanks for helping Kat.....
And yeah, Tequila the Incas didn't know about creamy!!!

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goin_south says on Apr 1, 2008, 22:44:

What????
I can't get Peanut Butter in Pasto???
I frankly... have never known this before....
"Dang!"... no peanut butter?
Now whatamygonnado?

..... leavin louisiana in the broad day light

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poco says on Apr 1, 2008, 22:54:

Recent review of facts (whatever that is) tends to make me believe a switch to smooth is necesary. I don't think crunchy, when used as a shaving cream, is practical.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

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goin_south says on Apr 1, 2008, 22:55:

WHEN GOIN_TO COLOMBIA: BYOD..PB!!

..... leavin louisiana in the broad day light

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lpdiver says on Apr 6, 2008, 15:32:

Here is a link speaking of the health "benefits" derived from consuming distilled water.

http://chetday.com/distilledwater.htm

T

"cook some rice!"

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Man Tequila says on Apr 6, 2008, 15:46:

Frankly, the article above is of pisspoor quality. No biochemist seriously believes that distilled water is significantly acidic. In soft drinks, he confounds the effects of distilled water and phosphoric/carbonic acids which are very different. The lack of fluoride in distilled water is a bigger concern.

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morphus says on Apr 7, 2008, 05:20:

Soda has a shit load of phopheric acid and zero calcium. Phosphorus has to be at a certain ratio with calcium or it will cause a deficiency. Drinking soda is the best way to give yourself a calcium deficiency.

I don't see the problem with distilled water. If you drink it with your food, its mixing with all the organic minerals in the food. The water in fruit and vegtables is distilled by nature. Many animals get all of their water from fruit and vegetation.

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