Havanna from Argentina - now available in the U.S.!
Written by Aimee D, eFoodie editor on Thursday, May 13 2010
Ask anybody from Argentina living in the U.S. what they'd like you to bring back for them from a trip to the their homeland and I'm betting the answer is something from Havanna.
Havanna was born as a chain of coffee stores in Argentina. It's one of the most recognizable and popular brands in South America. Quickly added to the menu were an array of yummy cookies and sweets.The shops are on every other corner and it's a daily ritual for the locals to sit for an espresso with alfajores and a copy of the newspaper.
Alfajores are basically a shortbread cookie (made with cornstarch so it's quite crumbly and mild) with rich dulce de leche sandwiched inside.
Available for the first time in the U.S., Central Market will carry a full line of Havanna products! It's not been for sale in the country before and we met with the Havanna folks personally in Argentina and did everything short of begging to get them to agree to let Central Market be the first. They agreed and we will be featuring:
- Havanna Dulce de Leche – A harmonious combination of cow’s milk, sugar and vanilla, this is one of the most popular dulce de leches in South America. Rich and gooey, it is stuffed into dessert crepes, used to sweeten espresso (drizzle in the bottom of a mug before filling it with espresso and steamed milk!), smeared on biscuits and even eaten straight up. I dig this as a housewarming gift. Refrigerate after opening.
Alfajores Mixtos – A box of six or 12 will contain individually wrapped chocolate and meringue-coated Alfajores.
Galletitas Havanna– THIS IS MY FAVORITE THING I DISCOVERED IN ARGENTINA! Firm, thin shortbread wafers filled with the most luxurious and tasty lemon crème. Sold by the dozen. Perfect for a cookie platter for guests. If you want to share (I haven't. But now that I can get them at Central Market, I may relax my 'no sharing the Galletitas' policy.)
- Banadas – Same as Galletitas Havanna but dipped and covered in rich chocolate. Basically, the tastiest cookie dipped in chocolate. If you can eat more than one at a time, I want to hear about it.
Havannets Mixtos, referred to as ‘conitos’ for their conical shape. These are delicate swirls of dulce de leche dipped in a hardened chocolate or white chocolate shell. So a cone of dulce de leche enrobed in divine chocolate.
- Chocolates para Regalar – these gorgeous boxes of mixed chocolates come in white, milk and dark chocolate in a variety of Havanna’s signature shapes and colors. Not to be missed!
-Aimee D., eFoodie editor
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Comments
Kevin Bingham on 5.13.2010 at 1:41 AM
I love the Havanna alfajores, and even more so the conitos. I ate them all the time when I lived in Buenos Aires. It will be great to be able to sample them again!
abbey on 5.17.2010 at 4:43 PM
I believe the creation of the alfajor led to the opening of the shops where they are sold. This is what I was told when I visited Mar Del Plata, the home of Havanna, with my porteno sister-in-law, who knew much of Havanna's history.
Sebastian on 5.25.2010 at 8:58 AM
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! We couldn't get enough of the Argentine event..everything was perfect! the food, the products, the cooking classes...I went there many times the past 2 weeks and recommended the event to all my friends. They were all fascinated even people than never heard of Argentine food before. GRACIAS for doing this!
PD: hope you keep selling Havanna and tartas all year round