Purple corn is another type of corn that comes to us from in and around what's now Peru. Depictions in ancient South American pottery indicate that it's been around at least 2,500 years.

This cocktail, which was recently taken off the menu, featured both Mexican rum as well as a Peruvian purple corn drink called chica morada, made from dried purple corn, fruit, and spices.

Note: Aji panca is a common Peruvian pepper. It’s not spicy like the incendiary aji amarilla or other native chiles, but mild with a fruity, smoky flavor, sometimes described as berry-like. Aji ...