Nicuatole facts for kids

Nicuatole is a delicious, jiggly dessert from Oaxaca, Mexico. It's made from ground maize (corn) and sugar. People have been enjoying this sweet treat for a very long time, even before Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas! You can find Nicuatole in many different flavors, like coconut, pineapple, milk, mango, and other yummy seasonal fruits.

What is Nicuatole?

Nicuatole is a special kind of gelatin-like dessert. It has a smooth, firm texture that wiggles a bit, similar to Jell-O. The main ingredients are ground corn and sugar, which give it a unique taste and feel.

Where to Find Nicuatole?

You can often buy Nicuatole in the busy markets of Valles Centrales in Oaxaca. It's usually sold in neat squares. Sometimes, it's placed on banana leaves or custard apple leaves. Other times, you might find it in small layers.

Popular Flavors

Nicuatole comes in many exciting flavors! Some common ones include vanilla, almond, pineapple, and chocolate. You might also find it flavored with peach, tejate (a traditional Oaxacan drink), shredded coconut, or even fragrant prickly pear. Sometimes, milk is added instead of water to make it extra creamy.

A Sweet History

Nicuatole has a long and interesting history. It is strongly connected to a town called San Agustín Yatareni. The first person known to make Nicuatole for sale was Doña Juana Agustín Martínez. She started making it way back in the 1800s! However, the recipe itself is believed to be much older, perhaps from before the Spanish arrived in Mexico.

Since 2011, San Agustín Yatareni has even held a special Nicuatole Fair. This fair celebrates this traditional dessert and its history. In another town called Jalapa de Díaz, they make a simple Nicuatole with corn, milk, and sugar, but without cinnamon.