Adventures in making homemade horchata de chufa, a brief history of the (plant-based) milky drink, and trying to get the song referenced above out of my head. Recipe inside!
I honestly thought it was the equivalent of our "orzata" but it's not! Curious to try it now. (Orzata is a syrup made of barley and bitter almond extract)
By name it definitely sounds like it would be similar to your orzata! What is orzata typically used for? Since it’s a syrup I’m assuming it’s added to something?
So glad that tinto de verano got a mention here bc it is my favorite “summer drink” in Spain!! But the horchata looks delicious and very cool that you made your own. Would love to know more about agua de cebada… barley water??
I’m always surprised that the tinto de verano idea hasn’t caught on more in the US. I actually like them much more than sangria, and they’re so easy to make!
Yep, agua de cebada is barley water! I’ve never had it but from what I’ve read it’s usually made with toasted barley that’s boiled in water and then strained. Some type of sweetener is added after (usually brown sugar), and it sounds like sometimes a touch of lemon, too.
There’s actually a whole world of summer drinks here in Spain that (I think) most people outside of the country don’t know about. There are the more universal ones like tintos and claras (beer mixed with lemonade or soda water), the agua de cebada, and horchata. Then you can get into local specialties like “agua de Valencia” which is more of a cocktail. I’m sure there are a ton more that I don’t know about, either, especially the regional ones!
Love it! And I have to say we have "chufas" at home now. Not to make some horchata. In fact we soak for some hours and then we just eat them! But I have to try your recipe. Sounds easy and ... I love "horchata". Thanks! ¡Gracias!
You’ll have to let me know if you try the recipe! I read about eating the chufas on their own when I was writing this post; I had never heard of eating them that way before. I’ll probably buy more these days (our horchata is gone already haha) and try them like that. How long do you soak them before eating?
Oh, yes, we eat them, but... some people like them, others don't. What you could do is to soak just some of them and try... If you don't like them... ¡Horchata! 😀
Oh, about how long we soak them, between 8 and 12 hours should be enough.
I honestly thought it was the equivalent of our "orzata" but it's not! Curious to try it now. (Orzata is a syrup made of barley and bitter almond extract)
By name it definitely sounds like it would be similar to your orzata! What is orzata typically used for? Since it’s a syrup I’m assuming it’s added to something?
Yes, exactly, it's a sugary syrup that needs mixing with icy water for a refreshing summer beverage. You'd love it!
So glad that tinto de verano got a mention here bc it is my favorite “summer drink” in Spain!! But the horchata looks delicious and very cool that you made your own. Would love to know more about agua de cebada… barley water??
I’m always surprised that the tinto de verano idea hasn’t caught on more in the US. I actually like them much more than sangria, and they’re so easy to make!
Yep, agua de cebada is barley water! I’ve never had it but from what I’ve read it’s usually made with toasted barley that’s boiled in water and then strained. Some type of sweetener is added after (usually brown sugar), and it sounds like sometimes a touch of lemon, too.
There’s actually a whole world of summer drinks here in Spain that (I think) most people outside of the country don’t know about. There are the more universal ones like tintos and claras (beer mixed with lemonade or soda water), the agua de cebada, and horchata. Then you can get into local specialties like “agua de Valencia” which is more of a cocktail. I’m sure there are a ton more that I don’t know about, either, especially the regional ones!
Love it! And I have to say we have "chufas" at home now. Not to make some horchata. In fact we soak for some hours and then we just eat them! But I have to try your recipe. Sounds easy and ... I love "horchata". Thanks! ¡Gracias!
You’ll have to let me know if you try the recipe! I read about eating the chufas on their own when I was writing this post; I had never heard of eating them that way before. I’ll probably buy more these days (our horchata is gone already haha) and try them like that. How long do you soak them before eating?
Oh, yes, we eat them, but... some people like them, others don't. What you could do is to soak just some of them and try... If you don't like them... ¡Horchata! 😀
Oh, about how long we soak them, between 8 and 12 hours should be enough.
And yes, I'll let you know about the horchata!
Haha that is my exact plan! Thanks for clarifying the soaking time!
Let me know if you try them that way! They aren't very soft.... well, just let me know! / Let us know! 🤗
Love this! And thank you for the shout-out, Kiki! 💕
Thanks, Jolene! And you’re welcome- the world needs to know about that granita post (and your newsletter in general 😁)!