Horchata

Horchata (; Spanish: [oɾˈtʃata] ), or orxata (Valencian: [oɾˈtʃata]), is a name given to various beverages, which are generally plant based, but sometimes contain animal milk. In Spain, it is made with soaked, ground, and sweetened tiger nuts. In some parts of the Americas, the base is jicaro, melon or sesame seeds, or white rice, along with other spices. Different varieties can be served hot or cold, and may be used as a flavor in other beverages, such as frappé coffee.

Etymology

The name probably derives from a Latin word for barley, the term hordeata, which in turn comes from hordeum (barley), related to a Mediterranean tradition of grain-based beverages. The Italian and Maltese orzata, the French and English orgeat have the same origin, although the beverages themselves have diverged, and are generally no longer made from barley.

History and composition

The drink originated in North Africa, and it is estimated that during the 11th century, it began to spread throughout Hispania (now Spain and Portugal). There are 13th-century records of an horchata-like beverage made near Valencia, where it remains a common drink.

From Spain, the concept of horchata was brought to the New World. Drinks called agua de horchata or simply horchata came to be made with white rice and cinnamon or canella instead of tiger nuts. Sometimes these drinks had vanilla added, or were served adorned with fruit. Similarly flavored plant based beverages are sold in various parts of the world as varieties of horchata or kunnu.

Varieties

Horchata de chufa or kunnu aya

The drink now known as horchata de chufa (also sometimes called horchata de chufas or, North African countries such as Morocco lang|und|kunnu aya}}) is the original form of horchata. It is made from soaked, ground and sweetened tiger nuts. According to researchers at the University of Ilorin, kunnu made from tiger nuts is an inexpensive source of protein.

The Valencian or Chufa horchata is made with dried and sweetened tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentus). This form of horchata is now properly called orxata de xufa.

It remains popular in Spain, where a regulating council exists to ensure the quality and traceability of the product in relation to the designation of origin. There it is served ice-cold as a natural refreshment in the summer, often served with fartons.

The majority of the Spanish tiger nut crop is utilised in the production of horchata de chufa. Alboraya is the most important production centre. In total, sixteen Valencian municipalities grow tiger nuts protected by the quality seal, the only one that guarantees its Valencian origin, which in aggregate cover around 485 hectares of tiger nut fields, with an approximate annual production of 8,000 tonnes, which is normally all sold by the time it is harvested.

In rare instances, various forms of aflatoxin may be present in horchata de chufa.

Horchata de arroz

Horchata de arroz (es) is made of rice, sometimes with vanilla, and typically with cinnamon.

It is the most common variety of horchata in Mexico and Guatemala. In the United States, it is popular in taquerías and Mexican ice cream shops.

In Alvarado, horchata de arroz is scented with flowers of the Aztec marigold (cempasúchil or Tagetes erecta). In Oaxaca it is made without the addition of milk, as is common in other states and among Mexicans in the United States and topped with chopped walnuts and cantaloupe.

Though horchata de arroz was once typically homemade, it is now available in both ready-to-drink (shelf-stable or refrigerated) and powdered form in grocery stores, principally in the U.S. and Latin America.

Horchata de arroz is one of the typical drink flavors of Mexican aguas frescas, together with tamarindo and hibiscus.

Horchata de ajonjolí

Horchata de ajonjolí ("sesame horchata") is made with toasted ground sesame seeds. In Puerto Rico, it is typically made by pouring boiling water over sesame seeds and left to soak 24 hours. It is then strained adding sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Evaporated milk, coconut milk, and rum can be added.

Horchata is also made with sesame seeds, water and sugar in Zulia, an area in the west of Venezuela.

Horchata de melón

Horchata de melón is made of ground melon seeds.

Semilla de jicaro

In the Central American countries of El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Costa Rica, horchata refers to the drink known as semilla de jicaro. Its base is made by grinding jicaro seeds, locally referred to as morro seeds, with rice. Depending on the region, other additions include ground cocoa, cinnamon, sesame seeds, nutmeg, tiger nuts, vanilla, ground peanuts, almonds and cashews.

In Nicaragua, it is also made with semilla de jicaro and rice as a base; these ingredients are toasted or dry-roasted, then ground into a fine powder. The powder is then mixed with water or milk, topped with ground cinnamon and, finally, sugar. Cocoa beans are sometimes added to the horchata, also toasted and ground with the base.

Ecuadorian horchata

In Ecuador, horchata is a vivid red-coloured infusion or tea, consisting of some 18–20 different plants and herbs, and is most famous in the province of Loja (hence its common name of horchata lojana). Some of the herbs frequently used are escancel or bloodleaf (a type of amaranth), achiote or annatto, hibiscus, lemon verbena, lemongrass, spearmint, peppermint, chamomile, lemon balm, and rose geranium, among others. It is not at all similar to the sweet, grain-based horchatas of other Latin American countries, but simply shares the same denomination.

The urban and rural populaces who consume this drink, notably in the Loja province, report improved overall well-being and cognitive benefits. They also believe that this herbal infusion promotes a healthy digestive tract, improves focus and memory, and acts as an hepatic anti-inflammatory and a diuretic. There is valuable scientific evidence for the purported health benefits of each of these various ingredients—on their own and combined—including counteracting genotoxicity in the body, as well as antioxidant properties.

Horchata as a flavor

Horchata, as a flavor, makes appearances in ice cream, cookies, and other sweets, and other products such as RumChata, an alcoholic tribute to the beverage. Some smoothie shops, cafés, and McDonald's in the U.S. have been experimenting with horchata-flavored frappes.

See also

• Chicha
• Orgeat syrup
• Rice milk
• Salep

References

External links

• The Regulating Council of Denomination of Origin "Chufa de Valencia": Quality council regulating tiger nut horchata in Valencia
• Article about Horxata, Ltd.: Valencian Horchata in New York City