Puerto Rico’s cuisine stems from Spanish, African, Taíno, and American influences. According to http://welcome.topuertorico.org/culture/foodrink.shtml, a lot of their seasoning such as coriander, papaya, cacao, nispero, apio, plantains, and yampee come from the natives of Puerto Rico. “Cocina Criolla” what locals call Puerto Rico’s cuisine comes from the natives original diets of corn, tropical fruit, and seafood. When the Spanish arrived in 1493, they added beef, pork, rice, wheat, and olive oil to the diet. Then, soon later the Spanish began planting sugarcane and bringing in slaves from Africa who brought with them to Puerto Rico okra and taro. All of which, have combined to make Puerto Rico’s cuisine of today. From that, of their dishes include, soups such as sopón de pollo con arroz, chicken soup with rice, sopón de garbanzos con patas de cerdo, chickpea soup with pig’s feet. Chickpeas are often added in Puerto Rican soups to give flavor, body and texture. A variety of ingredients are added to this soup as well. Including, pumpkin, chorizos, salt pork, chile peppers, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, and fresh cilantro leaves. Another well known dish is called asopao, a gumbo made with either chicken or shellfish. Stews are also very popular throughout the country. They are usually cooked in a heavy kettle. Some of the stews include, carne guisada puertorriqueña or beef stew. Pastelón de carne or meat pies are also very popular for meals such as dinner among Puerto Ricans as well as carne frita con cebolla, fried beefsteak with onions. Other main dishes include, Arroz con pollo, chicken and rice, pollo agridulce, sweet and sour chicken, and pollitos asados a la parrilla, broiled chickens. Sweeter dishes usually include some kind of flan or custard. Some staple dishes are, nisperos de batata, sweet-potato balls with coconut, cloves and cinnamon. Or traditionally, a portion of guava jelly with queso blanco, white cheese.