Homegrown Flavours of Latin America

Latin America has produced some of the greatest players in football history, from Pele, Lionel Messi to Diego Maradona. And it certainly got the world dancing on its feet to the rhythm of paso doble, rumba and samba. 

But, as Argentinian Maria Florencia Rauzi knows, there is so much more to Latin America than these iconic symbols. She has embarked on a mission to share the flavours, aromas and colours of her native Argentina with Singapore, where she has worked and lived since 2014.

Tierras Altas from one of the first boutique wineries in Argentina

Growing up, Florencia was fortunate to explore and experience the diversity within Latin America. Moving to Asia she discovered that this multifaceted region remains relatively unknown in this part of the world. She recognised an opportunity to bring the best of her homegrown products into Singapore whilst at the same time supporting small businesses back home. 

In October last year, she founded Los Andes Co offering carefully selected Argentine wines and Colombian chocolates.

“When I travelled across Asia, I realised there was much about Latin America and its culture that remained untold. Many of the Asians I met were enchanted with the region and its people, so I took it upon myself to be a mini ambassador for my home,” she explains.  “We have a rich history, and I am proud to represent Latin America in a small but meaningful way.” 

Grapes harvested from centuries-old vineyards make these wines unique

Florencia was also driven by the desire to support small or family-owned LatAm businesses, particularly brands that would benefit from the added exposure in Asia.

Argentinian wines are vastly underrated and she is determined to convince local consumers that these wines are on par with some of the more well-known, traditional brands sold in shops. 

The first wine brand that she introduced was Tierras Altas. Tierras Altas Winery & Vineyards was one of the first boutique wineries in Mendoza, Argentina, and is still owned by its founders, the Arizu family.  

Grape harvest season in Mendoza, Argentina is cause for celebration

“The Arizus have been involved in viticulture for more than a century and these wines are unique because they come from a family business that still owns the land where the grapes grow and their labels are produced in small lot sizes. None of these wines are available at local supermarkets and you can only get them directly from their vineyard. We are so excited to bring this to Singapore,” Florencia enthuses.

Every bar of chocolate sold is helping a family back in Colombia

Juan Choconat uses only two ingredients

Florencia’s reason for selling chocolates has an equally fascinating back story. 

“When I lived in Colombia, I fell in love with the culture but especially with the people. It is a place where no matter what happens, nothing can erase the people’s happiness and the willingness to make you feel at home,” she recalls.

She discovered that the Colombian geography makes it quite difficult to introduce technology in the farms, which is why most of the processes are still done manually and with considerable difficulty.   

#responsiblechocolate

“When I decided to open Los Andes Co, a friend reminded me about Juan Choconat and how amazing their products were. I started reading about the brand and its mission, and I knew this was a company I wanted to tell everyone about,” she says.

Juan Choconat is a different kind of chocolate. It is made with only two ingredients (cacao beans and raw cane sugar), using organic ingredients and unroasted beans. This mix gives the chocolate bars a unique flavour.  

“Most importantly, this is a brand that helps its community by paying the farmers fair wages, improving their families’ lives and helping those who suffered during the country’s guerrilla period. This is what they call #responsiblechocolate, so every time I sell a bar of chocolate, we are helping a family back in Colombia and that is priceless,” Florencia says.  

Michelle | ws

Wines, chocolates and other products available: Los Andes Co   | Images from Los Andes Co