Esencias Panameñas

Name: Esencias Panameñas
Address: 2800 10th Street NE, Washington D.C., DC, 20017, US
Telephone: +12024305960
Price range: $$

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Washington D.C., DC
Esencias Panameñas

We serve authentic Panamanian cuisine, catering and online pre-orders with heritage recipes and premium ingredients. Order today.

Authentic Panamanian cuisine by Chef Yadira 🇵🇦
Catering for local events & nationwide shipping of frozen & specialty foods
📦 Ships safely to all 50 states | Local pickup available
⬇️ Order online or book your event today

09/29/2026

☕🇵🇦 September 29th is National Coffee Day!

If you've ever been to a Panamanian home, chances are you've been offered a cup of coffee. Coffee is more than a drink in Panamá—it is part of our everyday life, our hospitality, and our culture.

Panama has been producing coffee for more than 200 years, with the Boquete region becoming especially well known for its high-quality coffee. And yes, Panama even holds the record for some of the world's most expensive coffee! 🇵🇦☕

But when I'm enjoying coffee at home, one of my favorites is Café Durán, a Panamanian coffee I've loved for years. ❤️

Last year, I made a Café Bombón with Café Durán and sweetened condensed milk, served with Panamanian corn tortillas and white cheese. And because one cup of coffee is never enough… I also made a Café Durán coffee rum cake with Café Durán coffee ice cream! 😋

☕ If you want to bring a little taste of Panama into your own kitchen, I carry Café Durán ground coffee and K-Cups at Esencias Panameñas.

So tell me… how do YOU take your coffee? ☕❤️

09/27/2026

Dulce de Tres Leches is a soft, sweet 3-milk cake that fits right in with late-summer get-togethers. Choose regular or gluten-free. Pick yours at https://esenciaspanamenas.com/product/dulce-de-tres-leches-3-milk-cake

09/25/2026

Can't decide which Panamanian fritura to try? Why choose just one? 😋

That's exactly why I created my Fritura Combos!

You get a variety of your Panamanian favorites without having to order a dozen of everything. Perfect for trying something new, sharing with family, or keeping a few favorites in the freezer for when the craving hits! ❤️

🥟 Combo 1: 4 Carimanolas + 4 Tortillas + 4 Empanadas de Maíz

🥟 Combo 2: 6 Carimanolas + 6 Empanadas de Maíz

🥟 Combo 3: 4 Carimanolas + 4 Empanadas de Maíz + 1½ lbs of Masa de Hojalda

Our frituras arrive uncooked and frozen, so you can prepare them when you're ready—whether it's for breakfast, a weekend treat, a family gathering, or simply because you're craving a taste of Panamá.

📍 Local pickup & delivery available
📦 Frozen frituras are also shipped nationwide.

Which combo would you choose? 1, 2 or 3? 👀🇵🇦

👉 Order yours at esenciaspanamenas.com

09/23/2026

Panamanians, you know what this is? 😉

Bollo de mantequilla de maíz viejo!

We actually have two traditional types of bollos: bollo de maíz nuevo, made with fresh corn cut from the cob and wrapped in the corn husk, and bollo de mantequilla, made with maíz viejo (hominy corn), plenty of butter, and wrapped in banana leaves.

Both are delicious, but they are definitely NOT the same thing as a tamal de hoja! 😉

So now I'm curious… which one is your favorite?

I am team bollo de mantequilla!

🌽 Bollo de maíz nuevo
🧈 Bollo de mantequilla de maíz viejo

Panamanians, I want to hear from you! ❤️

09/20/2026

A taste of Panama, wrapped in a banana leaf. 🇵🇦❤️

Our Panamanian tamales de hoja are made the traditional way and come in two sizes: regular and cocktail.

Choose your favorite:

🌶️ Chicken — mild or spicy
🌱 Vegan — mild or spicy

They’re sold frozen by the unit or by the dozen, making them perfect to keep on hand for a quick meal, unexpected guests, parties, or whenever that craving for Panama hits! 😉

And yes—we ship nationwide to all 50 states, or you can choose local pickup or delivery.

So… chicken or vegan? Mild or spicy? Regular or cocktail?

The hardest part may be choosing! 😋
Order at https://esenciaspanamenas.com

09/19/2026

This isn't just Arroz con Pollo. This is Panamanian Arroz con Pollo! ❤️

We start by stewing the chicken with culantro, achiote and our blend of seasonings until it's tender and full of flavor. Then we use that delicious cooking gravy to cook the rice, allowing every grain to absorb all those wonderful flavors.

Finally, we add the shredded chicken, olives, capers, peas and carrots. The result? A truly flavorful taste of Panamá in every bite. 🇵🇦

And just like everything we make at Esencias Panameñas, it's made from scratch, with time, care and lots of love. ❤️

🍚 Available in ¼ tray, ½ tray or full tray

📍 Local pickup & delivery available

Craving the real sabor de Panamá? Let us cook for you!

👉 Order at esenciaspanamenas.com

09/17/2026

I don’t just cook Panamanian food. I use food to share where I come from. 🇵🇦❤️

Hispanic Heritage Month is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the cultures, traditions, and stories that make up our Hispanic community—and food is one of the most delicious ways to start that conversation.

As a Panamanian chef, speaker, educator, and culinary storyteller, I love bringing Panama to the table through its food, history, traditions, and the stories behind the dishes.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of sharing Panamanian culture through speaking engagements, culinary demonstrations, and educational programs at libraries, schools, Montgomery County Parks & Recreation, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and other organizations.

So if your school, library, office, or organization is looking for a meaningful way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, let's talk.

It doesn't have to be just a meal. It can be an experience. A conversation. A story. A taste of Panama. 🇵🇦

Because sometimes the best way to learn about a culture is to sit down at the table and taste it. ❤️

09/16/2026

🥑 Happy National Guacamole Day!

We all love avocado in guacamole, but did you know there are so many delicious ways to enjoy it?

Avocado is wonderful in salads, smoothies, sandwiches, on toast, or simply sliced with a little salt and lime. In Panama and throughout Latin America, you'll find plenty of creative ways to enjoy this creamy, versatile fruit.

And, of course, I had to put my own Panamanian twist on guacamole!

I swap the cilantro for culantro and add my homemade Picante Chombo, along with corn and camote (batata/sweet potato). The combination of creamy, sweet, spicy and savory is SO good! 🌽🍠🌶️

Now I'm curious…

How do you like your avocado? Guacamole? Salad? Smoothie? Simply sliced with a little salt? Or do you have another favorite way to enjoy it?

09/15/2026

Who says Panamanian food can’t dress up for a black-tie affair? ✨

This isn’t your everyday plantain tart!

For an elegant black-tie dinner, I took one of my traditional favorites and gave it a little Panamanian couture -- a sweet butter cookie shell, plantain tart filling, whipped cream, and an orejita perched on top. 🇵🇦✨

Traditional flavors. A little imagination. And dressed to impress. 😉

That’s what I love about catering -- you give me the occasion, and I’ll make the food fit the moment.
Request catering at https://esenciaspanamenas.com

09/14/2026

🍹 **Happy National Sweet Tea Day!** 🍹

Today, I’m putting a little **Panamanian twist** on a Southern classic with my **Ginger Sweet Tea!** 🇵🇦❤️

Ginger is a wonderful ingredient that has long been enjoyed in Panamanian cooking and beverages, and it adds a beautiful warmth and gentle spice to a refreshing glass of iced tea.

# # # 🌿 Ginger Sweet Tea

**You’ll need:**
• Black tea
• Fresh ginger
• Water
• Sugar, to taste
• Fresh lime or lemon juice
• Plenty of ice
• Fresh ginger and/or lime slices for garnish

**My tip:** Start by simmering fresh ginger in water to extract all that wonderful flavor. Then add your tea and allow it to steep. Sweeten while the tea is still warm so the sugar dissolves completely. Add a splash of fresh lime or lemon juice, chill, and serve over plenty of ice.

The result is a refreshing glass of sweet tea with a **delicious ginger kick** — a simple way to bring a little taste of Panama to your table! 🇵🇦🍹

So tell me… **how do you like your sweet tea — extra sweet, lightly sweetened, or with a little ginger kick?** 😋

Address

2800 10th Street NE
Washington D.C., DC
20017

Telephone

+12024305960

Website

http://www.esenciaspanamenas.com/

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