Tejuino facts for kids
A cup of tejuino with shaved ice in it.
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| Course | Beverage |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Mexico |
| Region or state | Jalisco/Nayarit |
| Created by | Wixárikas |
| Serving temperature | Ice Cold |
| Main ingredients | Corn, Piloncillo, Lemon, Salt |
| Variations | Lime sorbet (nieve de limón), Chili powder |
Tejuino is a popular cold drink from Mexico. It is made from corn. People especially enjoy it in the Mexican states of Jalisco and Colima.
To make Tejuino, people use corn dough. This is the same dough used for tortillas and tamales. The dough is mixed with water and a special sugar called piloncillo. Piloncillo is a cone-shaped, unrefined cane sugar.
This mixture is boiled until it becomes very thick. Then, it is left to ferment just a little bit. Fermenting means tiny living things (like yeast) change the sugar into other things. This gives Tejuino its unique taste.
The drink is usually served cold. People often add lime juice, a little salt, and a scoop of shaved ice. Sometimes, they add lime sorbet instead of ice.
Even though Tejuino is strongly linked to Jalisco, you can find it in other parts of Mexico. It is also popular in Mexican American communities in the Southwestern United States. In Mexico, street vendors often sell it in small plastic cups or bags. In the United States, you might find it in Mexican juice bars.
Where Did Tejuino Come From?
The exact start of Tejuino is not fully known. However, most Mexicans agree that this drink is very old. It likely dates back to times before Columbus arrived.
The ancient Nahua people of Mexico called Tejuino the "drink of the gods." Some Mexicans still use this name today.
How Tejuino Can Be Different
Within the state of Jalisco, Tejuino is served in different ways. For example, in Puerto Vallarta, Tejuino is usually served plain. It does not come with nieve de limon.
However, in Guadalajara, Tejuino often comes with nieve de limon. This is a homemade lime sorbet. People can choose if they want to add it to their drink. Adding nieve de limon helps bring out the natural flavors of the Tejuino.
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