Fina'denne' facts for kids

Fina'denne' is a super tasty and spicy sauce that's a big part of cooking for the Chamorro people. The Chamorro people live on islands like Guam. You might see it spelled in different ways, like finadene or fina'dene. In the Chamorro language, its name means "made with chili pepper." This sauce is used for almost everything! You can pour it over meat or rice. Or, you can have it in a small bowl for dipping. People who studied Guam's culture long ago noticed how much Chamorros loved using fina'denne'.

A common type of fina'denne' made with soy sauce.

The Story of Fina'denne'

Fina'denne' served with delicious ribs and Chamorro red rice.

Fina'denne' has changed a lot over time. The very first versions were super simple. Long before the Spanish arrived in the late 1600s, fina'denne' was just salt and pepper.

New Ingredients Arrive

Later, people from the Philippines came to the Mariana Islands. They brought a cool new way to make vinegar. They would tap coconut trees to get sap. Then, they would let the sap ferment, turning it into a vinegar called tubâ.

So, fina'denne' started to change. It was made with tubâ vinegar, salt, lemon, water, and fresh chili peppers.

Modern Fina'denne'

Even later, people from Japan introduced soy sauce to the islands. This led to the fina'denne' we often see today. This popular version uses soy sauce, lemon juice, onion, and fresh bird's eye chili. These chilies are often called "boonie peppers" locally.

Instead of lemon, other sour ingredients can be used. These include white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, coconut vinegar, or lime juice.

Different Kinds of Fina'denne'

There are still many different types of fina'denne' made today. Each one is special!

Binakle Fina'denne'

One type is called binakle fina'denne'. This version is made with the traditional tubâ vinegar. It keeps the older flavors alive.

Chigu'an Fina'denne'

Another interesting kind is chigu'an fina'denne'. This one is made with fish brine. It's a bit like the fish sauces you might find in Southeast Asia.

Lemon-Based Fina'denne'

There's also a common fina'denne' made only with lemon, without any soy sauce. This version is often used for fish. It's also great for dishes with lighter flavors.

The soy sauce-based fina'denne' is usually served with red meat, pork, and chicken. It adds a bold, savory kick to these meals.