The Origin of Chimichurri Sauce: A Mystery with Multiple Theories

 

Chimichurri sauce is a popular condiment for grilled meats, but it can also be used to add flavor to fish, salads, and other dishes. However, the origin of its name is a mystery with multiple theories.

 

Two theories suggest that the name chimichurri may have come from Anglicized Spanish expressions. However, what is known is that chimichurri sauce was invented in South America, specifically in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The essential ingredients include parsley, garlic, vinegar, salt, and ají, a type of chili pepper that can be red, green, or yellow. In the past, salmuera (brine) was used instead of vinegar.

 

One of the most widely accepted theories about the origin of the name suggests that it has roots in the 19th century in the Río de la Plata region. During the British invasions of Spanish colonies, many British soldiers were taken prisoner. Years later, after their release, they would ask for the sauce we now know as chimichurri by saying "give me curry." Over time, this expression became castellanized, or adapted to Spanish pronunciation. Some also suggest that the soldiers actually said "Che, mi curry."

 

Another theory points to an Irish immigrant named James McCurry. In Argentina at that time, it was impossible to find Worcestershire sauce, so McCurry came up with a recipe using available ingredients that was very similar to the current chimichurri recipe. Because James was affectionately called Jimmy, his name and surname were castellanized as "Yimi Churri."

 

A third theory suggests that the origin of the term chimichurri may not be tied to any specific event, but rather to ancient indigenous and Spanish terms that have been lost over time. The existence of a recipe called chimichurris in the Dominican Republic, which resembles a hamburger, supports this idea.

 

The intensity of the chimichurri sauces flavor depends on the type of ají used in the recipe. Its taste also depends on the spices used and the length of time it is left to marinate, which is typically a few days.

 

Recently, the company Coradini's Gourmet, through TWeE grupo, has taken the first steps to be able to export their chimichurri sauce products to Europe. Coradini's uses a unique recipe, brought by an Italian family who immigrated to Argentina due to the war, and whose descendants moved to Puerto Rico, where they added Caribbean touches to their grandmother's recipe, making Coradini's Gourmet chimichurri sauce a different and unique sauce in terms of taste and presentation.