In stores you can find an increasing selection of plant-based drinks that are an alternative to cow’s milk. Soy, almond, oat, coconut, there is plenty to choose from. However, few people have heard about it horchata, a sweet, creamy drink that is popular in Spanish-speaking countries. Check what it tastes like, what types there are, and, Is horchata healthy?.
Horchata is a Spanish plant drinkwhich comes from sunny Valencia. Its name most likely comes from the Latin word “hordeum”, which can be translated as “barley”. It is prepared from various types of cereals. The roots of horchata probably date back to North Africa, where its original was drunk around 2400 BC. It is believed that This drink came to Spain after the Moorish invasion in 711who brought with them not only recipe for horchata, but also tigernuts, i.e. tiger nuts, from which it is prepared.
Horchata from Valencia, i.e. horchata de chufais prepared with water and edible cibor seeds, also known as tiger nuts or chufa. The plant needs a hot climate to grow and is rather little known in Poland. Added to Spanish horchata cinnamon or lemon zest. It is also sweetened with sugar.
If you want to prepare horchata at home without making additional purchases, use Mexican recipe for horchata de arrozin which the main ingredient is white rice. Rice horcharta is also drunk in other Latin American countries. The taste of the drink is diversified by such additions as: vanilla, cinnamon, and orange marigold petals.
Other grains are also used to prepare horchata. An interesting version of this drink is popular in Puerto Rico and Venezuela horchata de ajonjolí, which is made from roasted sesame seeds. It can be found in the z version coconut milk, cinnamon and vanilla, condensed milk and even rum. There is also melon horchataas you can easily guess, its base is melon seeds.
In Central American countries such as Costa Rica and Honduras, they drink a drink called semilla de jicaro, which is made from calabasa tree seeds and rice. It is seasoned vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. They also appear in this version nuts, e.g. peanuts, cashews, almonds, and the previously mentioned tigernuts. However, in some regions of Ecuador it is being created herbal horchata lojana, an infusion based on mint, chamomile, hibiscus, lemongrass, lemon balm, amaranth seeds, rose, and lemon verbena. It is distinguished by the following properties, specifically it improves health, concentration and memory. It is known in the Loja region of Ecuador. This combination of ingredients has a great effect on the nervous system and digestion.
Horchata can definitely be considered a healthy drink, especially if we do not add large amounts of sugar to it. It will be a great choice for people who are lactose intolerant and therefore have to avoid dairy products or are on a vegan diet. Its health-promoting properties will vary depending on what grains or nuts it is prepared from.
Horchata prepared from cypress seeds (tigernuts) contains unsaturated fatty acids, thanks to which it has a positive effect on the health of the circulatory system. It is a source of antioxidants, which support the fight against the harmful effects of free radicals and also have anti-inflammatory properties. Also included fiberwhich has a good effect on digestion. Cibor seeds are also a source of B vitamins and vitamin E, as well as magnesium, potassium and iron. Drink with chufa also has prebiotic effectsupports immunity and intestinal health.
Rice horchata, on the other hand, is an easily digestible drink that is gentle on the stomach. Moreover, it will help to hydrate the body well. It is worth adding that it is included in horchata Cinnamon has strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties. What’s more, improves digestion and helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
The most popular versions of horchata are those made from cibora grains and rice. Tiger nuts you can buy it in stores selling world cuisine products or in online stores. If you want to make the traditional version of horchata, add white sugar to it. However, if you limit its consumption, you can omit it or replace it with a selected sweetener, e.g. erythritol, stevia or xylitol. Honey, soaked dates, and agave or maple syrup will also work well.
To prepare horchata from cibora (tiger nuts), you will need:
- 250 g tiger nuts,
- water for soaking,
- 1 liter of cold water,
- 80 g of sugar or selected sweetener to taste,
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
Preparation:
- Soak the cypress seeds in water for 24 hours. Pour enough water to cover them completely. It is worth changing the water twice.
- After this time, strain the nuts and place them in a blender.
- Pour a liter of clean water and blend everything until smooth.
- Strain the drink.
- Add cinnamon and top with horchata if desired, mix thoroughly.
- Store in the refrigerator and serve cold.
Ingredients for rice horchata:
- 1 cup of long grain white rice,
- 6 glasses of water,
- 1.5 teaspoons of cinnamon,
- 1/3 cup of sugar or sweetener of your choice,
- cinnamon stick or a bit of vanilla flavor,
- a pinch of salt.
Preparation:
- Rinse the rice in a strainer under running water.
- Transfer the rice to a blender and pour four cups of water over it. Set aside overnight.
- Mix the rice with the water in which it was soaked and strain the drink.
- Add two cups of fresh water, sugar or sweetener, cinnamon and vanilla seeds. Mix everything.
- Store in the refrigerator and serve cold.
Sources: Terazgotuje.pl, Naukanatalerzu.pl
