They came with their appetites – for new tastes and new knowledge.

Both were satisfied Friday at Neveln Elementary School, at the students’ second annual Culture Day.

Children’s study of different cultures came in varied ways and the students “traveled” through different countries, said Jennifer Duley, who helped to coordinate the trips.

In one area, students were sampling some Mexican fare, including jicana, a type of Mexican potato; horchata, a drink made of ground almonds and other seeds and grains; rice, and chips and salsa.

“I love the salsa,” exclaimed one boy, tasting.

In other areas, children were learning about Japan and coloring depictions of Japanese kimonos; in another classroom, China was being studied.

In yet another classroom, “flag bingo” was providing a fun way for children to match up different flags with different countries.

In the fourth grade learning studio, students were creating Karenni bracelets; later in the afternoon, the students were going to be able to watch local Karenni dancers perform.

In another area of the studio, parent Elizabeth Vasquez, and her sister-in-law, Lidia Garcia, served a mole recipe, native to Garcia’s native state in Mexico, called Oaxaca. It is one of the “Seven Moles of Oaxaca.”

“The students have seemed really interested in learning about the different languages, customs,” said Vasquez, whose daughter Alexis is a second grader at the school.

Nearby, a screen held a photo of a El Tule, the largest tree in Mexico.

“I think it’s really fun for our kids to see and talk about the different cultures,” said fourth grade instructor Erik LaRock, who added that “I’ve learned a lot, too.”

Duley, who is a speech pathologist in the district, first conceived the idea for such a day a year ago.

“We are so rich in diversity (in Austin),” she said, so that it made sense to celebrate cultures  — even those that may not be reflected in the student populations.

But for those students whose cultures were being studied, Duley noticed there was pride displayed, too.

“I think some of the children see these things of their cultures, and they say, ‘That’s where my family is from,’ and you notice that there is a sense of pride. That’s really nice to see,” she said.