Cajuína facts for kids

A glass of Cajuína from Teresina, a city in Piauí, Brazil.

Cajuína (pronounced ka-zhoo-EE-nah) is a sweet, non-fizzy drink made from the juice of cashew apples. It is a very popular and traditional beverage in the northeast part of Brazil, especially in the state of Piauí. This golden-colored drink is known for its unique flavor.

What is Cajuína?

Cajuína is a special drink because it's made from the cashew apple, which is the fruit that the cashew nut grows from. Unlike many soft drinks, it has no bubbles and is completely non-alcoholic. It gets its natural sweetness and golden-brown color from the way it's prepared.

The Invention of a Healthy Drink

Back in the 1890s, a writer and pharmacist named Rodolfo Teófilo wanted to create a healthy drink for people. He invented Cajuína as a tasty alternative to alcoholic beverages. His goal was to offer something delicious and good for the community.

How Is Cajuína Made?

The process for making Cajuína is quite clever. It was inspired by a food preservation method from Nicolas Appert.

1. First, the juice is squeezed from fresh cashew apples.
2. The juice is then clarified, which means tiny bits of fruit pulp are filtered out to make it clear.
3. Next, the clear juice is put into glass bottles that are sealed tightly.
4. The sealed bottles are heated in water. This heating process does two important things. First, it sterilizes the juice, killing any germs so it can be stored for a long time without going bad. Second, it causes the natural sugars in the juice to caramelize. This is what gives Cajuína its special sweet flavor and beautiful golden color.

A Different Kind of Cajuína

Bottles of Cajuína for sale in a supermarket in Piauí.

To make things a little confusing, the name "cajuína" is also used for something else in the Brazilian state of Ceará. There, it can refer to a fizzy, cashew-flavored soft drink or soda. This is different from the traditional, non-fizzy Cajuína from Piauí.

See also

In Spanish: Cajuína para niños