| The Polynesian country of Tahiti is famous for its | | | | For dessert, try Faraoa coco, or coconut bread. |
| food. While in Tahiti, the best way to experience | | | | Firifiri, donuts in a figure-eight shape, are a |
| its culture is through its food. Because Tahiti was | | | | mouth-watering dessert often dipped in coffee. |
| isolated from outside influences until only two to | | | | Finally, perhaps the most famous dessert in Tahiti |
| three hundred years ago, its cuisine is some of | | | | is Poe, a baked dish made of papaya wrapped in |
| the most unique in the world, with distinctly | | | | banana leaves. The national drink of Tahiti is |
| Polynesian characteristics, although many of | | | | Hinano, a type of beer, while tropical cocktails |
| today's restaurants in Tahiti offer Polynesian food | | | | made with local fruits are also quite popular. |
| with influences from cultures all over the world. | | | | Most food in Tahiti is traditionally eaten with the |
| Fish and other types of seafood can be found at | | | | fingers, although food stands are quite |
| every meal and in every restaurant. Traditional | | | | accustomed to tourists asking for a fork or |
| Tahitian fare includes poisson cru, raw fish | | | | spoon, and restaurants are increasingly using |
| marinated in coconut milk and lime juice. This is | | | | western-style table settings. The food is |
| considered the national dish of Tahiti, and there | | | | traditionally cooked not in an indoor oven, but in |
| are many versions of it, including a few with | | | | an ahimaa, or hole dug into the ground. The food |
| French or Chinese influences. | | | | is wrapped in banana leaves and placed in this hole. |
| Other foods that are popular in Tahiti include | | | | This method is very similar to the method used in |
| tropical fruits, seafood, and pork. Many dishes in | | | | Hawaii to roast a pig during luau festivities. The |
| Hawaii use coconut milk, such as 'papaya chicken,' | | | | process of cooking using this method can take |
| which combines coconut milk, papaya, and chicken. | | | | several hours, but it has tender and delicious |
| The casse-croute is a local sandwich that is a | | | | results, often with meat literally falling off the |
| favorite of Tahitians and tourists alike. Most red | | | | bone. |
| meat and poultry is imported from New Zealand; | | | | In addition to these traditional tastes, Tahiti is also |
| as a result, you'll see less beef and chicken on the | | | | famous for its gourmet restaurants, especially on |
| menu here than in other areas of the world. | | | | Bora Bora and Moorea, two of the most popular |
| Mangoes, melons, pineapples, grapefruits, and | | | | tourist destinations within Tahiti. These |
| banana can be found at street markets | | | | restaurants, particularly those in luxury hotels, |
| throughout the country. For those looking for | | | | offer diners magical views of the lagoon and |
| more exotic fruits, sample the lynchee, | | | | delicious gourmet foods, including traditional |
| rambutans, or the pamplemousse, a huge | | | | Tahitian fare as well as Americanized dishes. Many |
| grapefruit. Tahiti's pineapples are known to be the | | | | feature Polynesian entertainment such as dancers |
| sweetest in the world, and there are also more | | | | and musicians. |
| than 300 varieties of banana grown here. | | | | |