National cuisine of French Polynesia for gourmets

French Polynesia is composed of more than a hundred islands that are united in five archipelagoes. Residents of each archipelago are proud of their unique culture. However, in general, this French island territory has common features, created as a result of the mixing together of the traditions of the Polynesians, the Chinese and the French. Polynesian cuisine reflects the characteristics of each archipelago. The ration of the inhabitants of French Polynesia is based on fruit, meat, bread and fish. You can see traces of French, Chinese, Italian and local influences in the Polynesian dishes. The islanders living in the countryside usually provide themselves with their own food. They grow gardens and orchards, as well as fish and raise livestock. Some products are also imported into the country, rice for instance.

Residents of French Polynesia often eat breadfruit, cassava, pork, bread, and seafood. Chicken meat is eaten less frequently. On holidays as well as once every week, food is cooked in many homes on a special stove using volcanic stones heated by fire. Banana leaves are placed on top of the food, and then everything is covered with several layers of earth for about three hours. The food prepared in this way is eaten with hands, dipping piece by piece into coconut sauce. Often on the islands, people often eat snacks. “La Ota” prepared from diced vegetables and raw fish, soaked in coconut milk and lime marinade, as well as a sandwich with tuna, ham, lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers are some popular dishes.

Life on the islands makes it possible to include fish and other seafood products in the diet. The salty Pacific waters generously serve as a source of seafood to French Polynesia. In addition, fish and other inhabitants of the waters are caught in the lagoons and rivers on the islands. Dishes prepared from such marine and freshwater fish as white fox, golden mackerel, peto, bonito, parrot fish, barracuda and tuna are very common. “Fafaru” is cooked from fish marinated in sea water. Due to its strong peculiar smell, this dish often leaves tourists feeling confused. Sea urchin, octopus, oysters and freshwater shrimp, are also constantly included in the diet of locals. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The islands of French Polynesia are rich in awesome tropical fruits. Papaya, grapefruit, mango, banana, pineapple, lime, coconut and other tasty and healthy fruits are eaten separately or added to fish and meat dishes. Coconut curry is another rather extraordinary dish. Chutney is an island version of Indian sauce made from mango. In the Polynesian hot dog, the bun is replaced by a banana and the sausage by chopped coconut. Lime juice is added to many dishes to give them a juicy taste. The juice is often used to prepare sauce. Vegetables are eaten less frequently, with banana-plantain, tomato, carrot and cassava being the most popular. Taro roots are boiled, and the leaves are added to stewed chicken meat.

The short and succinct word “poi”, refers to the most popular Polynesian dessert. This is taro root pudding, the sweetness of which comes from vanilla, papaya, pumpkin or banana. Brown sugar is sometimes added. An obligatory final touch is the addition of fattening coconut sauce to the pudding. Also, Polynesians love a variety of fruit pies: coconut, banana, pineapple, guava, and so on. You can also enjoy a drink of coconut water, fresh fruit juices and cocktails, as well as white and red wine imported from France. The local wine of French Polynesia is called “Vin de Tahiti”. Fruit rum, imported as well as locally brewed beer, and excellent espressos are some of the popular drinks on the islands.

On holidays, Polynesians must prepare meals in an underground furnace. Food prepared in this way is eaten with the hands from wooden plates. At Christmas, residents eat fish and oysters. In places more exposed to European influence, typical European and American Christmas dishes, such as turkey, are often included in traditional festive food. If in a restaurant or cafe it is customary to leave a tip, then a polite mention of this will be attached to the bill. However, in most places of public catering on the islands, it is not accepted to leave tips.

You can taste real Polynesian food in any of the countless cafes and restaurants in French Polynesia. The beach restaurant “Opoa” in the municipality of Utyuroa serve dishes in which both French and Polynesia culinary traditions are brought together. They are also known to serve purely European food. Lovers of fresh seafood go to the restaurant “The Shell” on the island of Moorea. Each dish here is beautifully and originally designed. Also on the island is a café called “Lollipop Ice Cream”. It is a cozy cafe with a large selection of homemade ice cream. Makharepsky cafe “Carameline” is known for its great fresh pastries and excellent coffee. It is important to remember that prices in the country often “exorbitant”, especially with regard to food in hotels. It is often better to buy food at the store than to pay for the food offered by hotels.