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Retailers' Best-Selling Latin American Foods

Jorge Garcia, amigofoods.com, Miami, FL
Argentina, Brazil and Peru command the most repeat orders, with Brazil and Argentina leading the way in specialty products. I recommend stocking traditional sweets (alfajores) and cheese breads (pao de queijo) as well as mate, a drink starting to occupy a position like that of coffee in the U.S. Customers' Latin American favorites are:
•Rosamonte Yerba Mate
•San Ignacio Dulce de Leche
•Terrabusi Alfajores cookies
•Yoki Pao de Queijo cheese bread

Tony Wilson, Global Foods Market, Kirkwood, MO
No doubt, everyone is trying Latin American foods for a different taste experience. Brazilian sodas are popular at many local restaurants as are the strong flavors of Latin American teas. We ship cases of sodas and all types of goodies to local businesses for 'diversity parties;' it's a great way for people to try new products. Items we can't keep on the shelves include:
•Diet Guarana Antarctica Drink
•Jandaia Passion Fruit concentrate
•Yerba Mate
•Yoki Manioc (cassava) flour
•Yoki Pan de Queso cheese bread

Debbie Donaldson, Pacific Rim Gourmet, Kailua-Kona, HI
Customers seek out Goya products in general because they have useful information and recipes on their website. Most of our customers order region-specific items and tend to be non-Latin American; they purchase items once or twice to try and recreate a dish at home that they either had while on vacation or experienced at a restaurant. Current top picks are:
•El Yucateco Annatto Achiote Seasoning
•Goya Pigeon Peas
•Goya Mojo Criollo marinade (top right)
•Goya Giant White Hominy Corn
•Ibarra Mexican Chocolate

Danny Denzer, Epicure Market, Miami, FL
It is good to market authentic Latin American products to natives of that culture; they tend to trust them more. Chimichurri sauce from Argentina is a good example. We also incorporate Latin American foods into our prepared menu.
•House-made Tres Leches cake
•House-made Argentinean Churrasco Steak
•Interrupcion Fair Trade Chimichurri Steak & Vegetable sauce
•La Salamandra Dulce de Leche

Suggesting South American Wines
Alexander Hahn, Kafka, Chicago
Malbecs really put Argentina on the map with wine. Similar to a Chilean Cabernet but much lighter, the wines' fruity and spicy character makes them a good accompaniment to Argentinean meats. Many are also a great value for the money—retailing under $10. I'd recommend Alamos Malbec as well as Casillero del Diablo Chilean Cabernet.

Nicole Potenza Denis is senior editor of Specialty Food Magazine.