Rice and beans is a staple dish in many cuisines worldwide.

This popular combination can be found in Cuban cuisine in different forms including as a one pot dish or cooked separately.

However, there is often a confusion between two popular variations of this dish: congri and moro.

Cooked as a one pot dish, these two dishes are prepared similarly. The difference comes from the type of beans used in each of these dish.

One is prepared with black beans and the other is made with red kidney beans; The confusion is usually which of the two is made is made with black beans.

While some Cubans may agree that Moros is that which is prepared with black beans some other may say otherwise.

In this post, we take a look at these dish dishes and try to understand what set them both apart.

Moro vs congri

The type of beans used in these dishes remains a debate.

The undisputed fact is that both dishes consist of white rice and beans cooked as a one pot dish. Their style of preparation and other ingredients are also the same.

Depending on what part of Cuba you are, congri may refer to the red bean variety or the black bean variety. The same for Moro.

Sometimes both names are used interchangeably by the locals to refer to these dishes.

However, historical evidence suggests that moro is made with black beans while congri is made with red beans.

History of moro

Moros y Cristianos is a version of rice and beans that originated from Spain.

The origin of Moros y Cristianos dates back to hundreds of years ago, and it was brought to Cuba by the Spanish around the 16th century.

Moros y Cristianos translates to “Moors and Christians,” in English.

The dish itself was a reference to the relationship between the moors and Christians in Spain as well as the battles fought between them.

The black beans represented that moors who were dark skin and the rice represented the Christians who were light skin.

Black bean or red kidney beans

Congri and moro are Cuban staple where rice and beans are cooked together.

The dish can also be found in Latin America and the rest of the Caribbean.

There is not much difference between congri and moros.

So, whether you decide to use black beans or kidney beans, their flavors and style of preparation are the same.

These dishes can be easy to make at home, they can also be gotten from restaurants. They are also eaten at feasts in Cuba.

In these dishes, rice and beans are cooked together.

Typically, they consist of long grain rice which is fluffy. They are flavored with aromatic spices, onions, garlic, bacon, and other ingredients.

These dishes are known for their rich flavor. Congri and moro can be served as main dishes, they can also be used as side dishes served with chicken or beef.

In conclusion

There are not many differences between these two dishes apart from the type of beans used.

Congri is traditionally made with red beans while moro is made with black beans. The origin of arroz congri is believed to be in Africa while that of moro is Spain.

In some parts of Cuba, both names are used interchangeably to refer to either of these dishes.

Arroz con frijoles is another traditional Cuban staple that is made with rice and beans.

What differentiates Arroz con frijoles from congri and Moro is that it is not prepared as a one pot dish but cooked in separate pots.

In this dish, the rice and beans are cooked separately in different pots, and then the beans are poured over the rice.