Plantain Coffee

Ingredients:

• Ripe plantains (a type of banana commonly used in Latin American cuisine)

Preparation:

1. Peeling the plantains: The plantains are peeled.
2. Drying: Thinly sliced plantains are dried in the sun until they are completely dry. At home, they can also be dried in the oven at a low temperature.
3. Roasting: Once the plantains are dry, they are roasted on a dry pan or in the oven until they turn a dark brown color. Roasting gives them a flavor reminiscent of coffee notes.
4. Grinding: The roasted plantains are ground into a powder, similar to grinding coffee beans.
5. Brewing: The powder can be brewed in hot water like traditional coffee, using the same method as for ground coffee.

Taste:

Plantain coffee has a milder flavor than traditional coffee, with sweet and fruity undertones. Although it contains no caffeine, it provides a warm drink that serves as a coffee substitute in difficult times.

Why is there hunger in Venezuela?

Venezuela was once the wealthiest country in Latin America due to its vast oil reserves. However, since the implementation of economic policies by President Maduro, 64% of citizens have lost an average of 11 kilograms in 6 months. The country faces the highest inflation rate in the world, making food and medicine inaccessible to most residents. In 2016, the military took control of food distribution. Imported food is sold on the black market at exorbitant prices.

Many poor Venezuelans have nothing to eat. People even consume their pets and protected animals, such as flamingos. According to a report by the Daily Mail, starving people have broken into zoos to eat the animals there. Venezuelans have become incredibly creative in making new dishes from available ingredients, such as plants.

Specialties include yucca mayonnaise, plantain coffee (a type of banana), arepas (a type of bread) made from castor bean seeds (a seasonal fruit), and shredded beef made from plantain peels.

**Why is there hunger in Venezuela?**

The economic policies of the Venezuelan government, particularly under Hugo Chávez and his successor Nicolás Maduro, have led to hyperinflation, economic collapse, and the failure of the agricultural production system. The nationalization of many industries, including agriculture, and price controls have decreased food production. Venezuela has one of the highest inflation rates in the world, making food prices inaccessible for most citizens. The country also struggles with a shortage of hard currency, making it difficult to import food and medicine.

Mismanagement of agricultural resources, lack of investment in infrastructure, and forced land expropriations have led to a dramatic decline in agricultural production. Once self-sufficient in food production, Venezuela now relies on imports, which have become very costly.

Sanctions imposed by the United States and other countries on the Venezuelan government, although mainly targeted at the rulers, have also affected the country’s economy. They have reduced Venezuela’s ability to trade on international markets, further worsening the food crisis.

Corruption and inefficiency within the government, one of the most corrupt in the world, result in the misallocation of funds that could be used for purchasing food and humanitarian aid. Additionally, the poor state of infrastructure, including transportation and electricity, hampers food distribution and storage, leading to further losses.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the already dire situation, leading to even greater restrictions on trade, production, and food distribution.