Chilate facts for kids
Chilate is a special drink from Mexico. It is made with tasty ingredients like cocoa, rice, cinnamon, and sugar. This refreshing drink comes from a place called Ayutla de los Libres in the state of Guerrero, México.
Chilate is usually served very cold. People often enjoy it with a sweet pastry called a buñuelo. The name "Chilate" comes from "Atolli," which means "maize drink" in the Nahuatl language. While some chilate recipes use corn, the main one from Guerrero uses rice.
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Different Kinds of Chilate
The word "Chilate" can actually describe a few different drinks, depending on where you are in Mexico or Central America.
Chilate from Southern Mexico
In the southern part of Mexico, especially in the state of Guerrero, there's another drink also called chilate. This version is made with cocoa, rice, and sometimes corn. It also includes cinnamon and piloncillo, which is a type of unrefined sugar made from cooked sugarcane juice. Sometimes, people even add cookies to this drink!
Chilate from Central America
In Central America, "chilate" is a different kind of drink. It is made from chile, roasted corn, and cocoa. This version often has other spices too, like anise, pepper, ginger, and cinnamon. Unlike the Mexican chilate, this Central American drink is served hot. People in El Salvador often drink it with traditional sweets like dulce de camote (sweet potato candy), dulce de platano (banana candy), or nuegados (a type of fritter).
Chilate from Oaxaca
In Oaxaca, Mexico, "chilate" refers to something completely different! Here, it's not a drink at all. Instead, it's a typical dish from the region that is a type of broth, often made with chicken.
