Question 1

True or false: Arepas are naturally gluten-free because they are made solely from cornmeal.

Accepted Answer

True. Corn is gluten-free, and traditional arepa dough uses only cornmeal, water, and salt. This makes them a popular option for people with celiac disease.

Question 2

True or false: Arepas are always made from wheat flour, similar to pita bread.

Accepted Answer

False. Authentic arepas use pre-cooked cornmeal (masarepa), not wheat flour. Wheat flour arepas exist but are a modern, less common variation.

Question 3

True or false: In Venezuela, arepas are typically split open and stuffed with fillings, while in Colombia they are often eaten plain on the side.

Accepted Answer

True. Venezuelan arepas are thick, split, and stuffed (like a sandwich). Colombian arepas are often thinner, eaten plain, or topped with butter or cheese.

Question 4

True or false: Arepas predate the arrival of Europeans in the Americas.

Accepted Answer

True. Arepas were made by indigenous peoples in northern South America long before European contact, with the name deriving from the Cumanagoto word 'erepa.'

Question 5

True or false: Arepas are a type of tortilla that originated in Mexico and spread to South America.

Accepted Answer

False. Arepas are distinct from tortillas. They originated in northern South America (Colombia/Venezuela), not Mexico. Tortillas are thinner and made differently.

Question 6

True or false: Corn used for arepas must be treated with lime (calcium hydroxide) to make the dough pliable.

Accepted Answer

False. Arepas are made from masarepa (precooked corn flour) or ground dry corn, not nixtamalized. Nixtamalization with lime is typical for masa harina used in tortillas, not arepas.

Question 7

True or false: You can make arepas using leftover cornbread crumbs mixed with egg as a binder.

Accepted Answer

False. Real arepa dough is a simple mix of masarepa, water, and salt—no eggs or breadcrumbs. Adding those would create a different, denser patty.

Question 8

True or false: Arepas are deep-fried, which makes them significantly higher in calories than a slice of bread.

Accepted Answer

False. Arepas are not deep-fried; they are typically grilled, baked, or cooked on a griddle with little oil. Deep-frying is rare. Thus, the calorie claim is based on a false premise.

Arepa Trivia Questions