La Flor de la Canela (Cinnamon Flower)

This song celebrates the grace, beauty and infectious humour of the mulatto woman as the epitome of the traditional charms of Limeñan womanhood. The title is a "double entendre" with the phrase ‘flor de la canela’ (The Pick of the Bunch / Cinnamon Flower), cinnamon being a term often used to describe mulatto women on account of their supposed hot blood. This song was also the most popular "vals" of all time and its popularity can be attributed to its celebration of the creole heritage.

The "canción criolla" is essentially dance music but it was also accompanied by lyrics which became popular in their own right and for that reason it is usually referred to simply as song or "canción". "Criollo" music is common all over the coastal region of Peru. The term "criollo" includes different kinds of music styles, like the "vals", Afro-Peruvian music and "marinera". In Peru, the "vals" is specially popular. "Valses" are songs about life and love, joy and sadness. The "vals" originates from the Viennese waltz, but while the Viennese waltz makes you think of Johann Strauss' waltzes, the Peruvian waltz is more vocal and in many aspects totally different from its European roots. It is a complete new style of its own. The Peruvian Waltz (Vals Peruano o Vals Criollo) generally boasts a very sensual melodic line with a strong syncopation behind it.