Tepache facts for kids
A glass of cold tepache served at a taco stand in the Tacubaya neighbourhood of Mexico City
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| Course | Beverage |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Mexico |
| Serving temperature | cold |
| Main ingredients | pineapple, piloncillo |
| Variations | added beer and cinnamon |
Tepache is a refreshing drink from Mexico. It is made by fermenting (letting it sit and bubble) the peels and rinds of pineapples. This drink is sweetened with a special kind of brown sugar called piloncillo or regular brown sugar. A little powdered cinnamon is often added, and it is always served cold. Even though tepache ferments for a few days, the final drink does not have much alcohol. This makes it a popular and mostly non-alcoholic beverage.
In Mexico, you can often buy cold tepache from street vendors. They usually store it in large barrels to help it ferment quickly. It is served in a clay mug or sometimes in a clear plastic bag with a straw. In the United States, you might find it in juice bars or Mexican restaurants. Making tepache at home is quite easy because the fermentation process is simple and fast.
The History of Tepache
Tepache has a long history, going back to Pre-Columbian Mexico. This means it was around before Europeans arrived. It was a popular drink among the Nahua people, who lived in central Mexico. In their language, Nahuatl (also known as Aztec), the word tepiātl meant "drink made from corn."
Originally, tepache was made using corn (also called maize) as its main ingredient. But over time, the recipe changed. Today, most tepache is made from pineapple rinds. Some special kinds of tepache, called tepache de tibicos, are made using tiny living cultures called tibicos to help with the fermentation.
Tepache in Stores
Because tepache is so popular in Mexico, companies have started making it to sell in stores. These commercial versions are usually non-alcoholic. One company, Frumex Corporation, has produced different versions of their "Tepache" drink.
The first Frumex Tepache had 12% juice and was made from fermented pineapple skins and pulp. It also had sugar, spices, and barley. Later, they changed it to have only 10% juice and no barley, using just fermented pineapple juice. The newest version, now called Tepachito, still has 10% juice. It is made from fermented juice and skin, with white and brown sugar and spices. In the U.S., the first commercial tepache, Big Easy Tepache, started selling in stores in November 2019. It is now available in many stores across the country.
See also
In Spanish: Tepache (bebida alcohólica) para niños
