🫓 **Arepa Andina**. It is made with wheat flour, not corn flour, as wheat has historically been grown in the states of Mérida, Táchira, and Trujillo. In addition, its soft texture and slightly sweet flavor reflect the temperate climate and warmth of the Andes. It is usually accompanied by smoked cheese, which is also typical of the region.
🫓 **La Llanera**. It is filled with sautéed meat, avocado, tomato, and llanero cheese, typical ingredients of this region that evoke the cattle-ranching life and abundance of our lands. It is a robust arepa, like the character of those who inhabit these vast savannas.
🫓 **Arepa de cazón**. Cazón is a young shark and is typical of the coasts of Sucre, Margarita Island, and Anzoátegui, where fishing is an essential part of daily life. This arepa carries the flavor of the sea, as it is filled with a fish stew and sweet chili pepper, representing the indigenous heritage of Cumanagota.
🫓 **Reina Pepiada**. It was created in Caracas in 1955 as a tribute to Susana Duijm, Venezuela's first Miss World. It is filled with a chicken and avocado cream and represents urban creativity and Caracas glamour. In addition, it was created in one of the most iconic arepa restaurants in the capital city, is a favorite, and has become a national icon.
🫓 **La Pelúa**. It is very popular in Maracay and Valencia, the industrial cities. Its filling of shredded beef and grated cheese resembles a woman's hair, which is why it is called that. It is an intense arepa, like the pace of life in the productive heart of Venezuela. It is also my favorite.
🫓 **La Rumbera**. Pork leg is very typical of the Guayana region. This arepa is filled with pork leg and grated yellow cheese. It is festive and abundant, like the cultural and natural diversity of Guayana with its carnivals and traditional festivals.
🫓 **Tumbarrancho**. This is a fried arepa filled with ham, cheese, egg, and sauces. It is a flavor bomb. It originated in Maracaibo and represents the irreverence and creativity of the Zuliano people. It is bold, loud, and full of flavor, just like the Zuliano people.
🫓 **Pabellón**. This is the national dish, consisting of rice, shredded beef, beans, and fried plantain slices. When used as a filling for arepas, the rice is usually replaced with white cheese from the plains. In Barinas, Falcón, Lara, Portuguesa, and Yaracuy, this dish is eaten daily and is deeply rooted in the regional identity.
🫓 **Rompecolchón**. This arepa is filled with stewed seafood, which is typical of the Nueva Esparta Islands. It is said to have aphrodisiac properties and represents tropical flavors, island joy, and the connection to the Caribbean Sea.
**Which one represents your homeland?** Tell me in the comments. I would also like to know if you have a family or local version that is not on this list or in the book [*Las 50 Mejores Recetas del #DíaMundialDeLaArepa*](https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Luisana-Cruz-Romero-ebook/dp/B0BF7HY2QK?__mk_es_US=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=31YIOHGIT6XN8&keywords=Las+50+Mejores+Recetas+del+D%C3%ADa+Mundial+de+la+Arepa&qid=1663246426&s=books&sprefix=las+50+mejores+recetas+del+d%C3%ADa+mundial+de+la+arepa,stripbooks-intl-ship,1305&sr=1-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=entrbell-20&linkId=353175aea8591005546e1879b9d62bf2&language=es_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafFLej0jBoW6ytrNqIwczG4C4opm2WTHaNsEV7mlhkL_YTqaKcUm13_QIIyuw_aem_fy6TWQFnPXohQK-_eX3RAQ). Share them!
**Posts about #WorldArepaDay**
Before closing this post, I want to tell you that there are **7 publications** inspired by the arepa and #WorldArepaDay, an initiative launched 14 years ago by the organization @VenMundo, of which I am one of the creators. These publications celebrate our cuisine through history, literature, art, and education.
The first publication is mine. [**The 50 Best Recipes for #WorldArepaDay**](https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Luisana-Cruz-Romero-ebook/dp/B0BF7HY2QK?__mk_es_US=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=31YIOHGIT6XN8&keywords=Las+50+Mejores+Recetas+del+D%C3%ADa+Mundial+de+la+Arepa&qid=1663246426&s=books&sprefix=las+50+mejores+recetas+del+d%C3%ADa+mundial+de+la+arepa,stripbooks-intl-ship,1305&sr=1-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=entrbell-20&linkId=353175aea8591005546e1879b9d62bf2&language=es_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafFLej0jBoW6ytrNqIwczG4C4opm2WTHaNsEV7mlhkL_YTqaKcUm13_QIIyuw_aem_fy6TWQFnPXohQK-_eX3RAQ) is an ebook that brings together recipes, testimonials, photos, and contributions from some chefs and content creators from our Hive ecosystem, such as: @berlissanoja, @damarysvibra, @marielaac07, @pelulacro, @rosahidalgo, @miriannalis, and @annafenix.
The other 7 are by **Ximena Montilla**, educational psychologist, TEDx speaker, and award-winning author in several international competitions. These are her publications on arepas:
🫓 **Soy la Arepa (2020)**. Children's book that teaches identity through the arepa. [[Available on Amazon]]((https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Soy-arepa-Spanish-Ximena-Montilla/dp/0578812916) )
🫓 **Play with Soy la Arepa (2021)**. Free digital book with activities and recipes. [[Download here]]((https://historiadelaarepa.com/libros-de-la-arepa/))
🫓 **Una Arepa por la Paz (2022)**. Recipes and stories that promote reconciliation. [[Download here]]((https://historiadelaarepa.com/libros-de-la-arepa/))
🫓 **Una Arepa por el Mundo (2023)**. A tour of 20 countries and how the arepa is transformed. [[Available on Amazon]]((https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJDGMMWV) )
🫓 **An Arepa for the Future (2024)**. An academic and professional look at Venezuelan cuisine. [[Download here]]((https://historiadelaarepa.com/libros-de-la-arepa/) )
🫓 **An Arepa Made into a Postcard (2025)**. 47 works by artists + 16 signature recipes. [[Download here]]((https://historiadelaarepa.com/libros-de-la-arepa/))
I invite you to buy, download, and share them. They are a cultural treasure!
Thank you very much for reading this far. The next celebration will be **#WorldTequeñoDay**... and I'll tell you in the next post how that snack also has history, identity, and much to celebrate.