An agua fresca is a cold beverage made from fruit, cereal, seeds, sugar and water. It is important to differentiate between frescas and refrescos, which are soft drinks in Mexico. This refreshing drink is not carbonated, they are a blend of the ingredients listed above. Street vendors are the main source in Mexico, but some fine restaurants in resort towns have begun to carry the beverage as well.
In Mexico the most common sweet flavors of aguas frescas are cantaloupe, guava, mammee apple, mango, melon, papaya, passion fruit, soursop, prickly pear and watermelon. However just as popular are the sour fruit flavors: cucumber, lemon, lime, orange, pineapple, tamarind, and strawberry. Chia is a typical seed used with vegetable based aguas frescas, as is alfalfa. Hibiscus tea is popular with the fruit based versions, but more so in Jamaica. Cebada uses the grains of the barley along with fruits in aguas frescas.
Agua de Flor de Jamaica is similar to an agua fresca, and the two are often confused. Agua de Flor de Jamaica is more of an iced herbal tea made from hibiscus and tamarind. It is quite popular in Mexico and Caribbean, but does not have the thick grainy texture. Similarly, there is agua de horchata which is made with rice and cinnamon. One could characterize this beverage as a cross between an agua fresca and agua de Flor de Jamaica.
All of the beverages discussed above are the perfect accompaniment to a spicy Mexican meal. A savory chicken gordita and rice pairs very well with a mango agua fresca. Or the regional fish stew over rice with a cool agua de Flor de Jamaica is a lovely contrast in heat and flavor. Some of the varieties are definitely an acquired taste, such as cucumber or tamarind. Then again, experimentation with new foods is what makes a vacation to a foreign nation so much more adventurous!
There is some speculation that aguas frescas gave birth to the modern bottled fruit beverages now popular in Mexico. That may be so, but they are still a staple beverage at celebratory gatherings and easily made in the home. Next time the Day of the Dead or Cinqo de Mayo rolls around, have yourself a genuine Mexican meal. All the dishes are easy to make, use fresh ingredients and will be a big hit with the family. Buen Provecho!
In Mexico the most common sweet flavors of aguas frescas are cantaloupe, guava, mammee apple, mango, melon, papaya, passion fruit, soursop, prickly pear and watermelon. However just as popular are the sour fruit flavors: cucumber, lemon, lime, orange, pineapple, tamarind, and strawberry. Chia is a typical seed used with vegetable based aguas frescas, as is alfalfa. Hibiscus tea is popular with the fruit based versions, but more so in Jamaica. Cebada uses the grains of the barley along with fruits in aguas frescas.
Agua de Flor de Jamaica is similar to an agua fresca, and the two are often confused. Agua de Flor de Jamaica is more of an iced herbal tea made from hibiscus and tamarind. It is quite popular in Mexico and Caribbean, but does not have the thick grainy texture. Similarly, there is agua de horchata which is made with rice and cinnamon. One could characterize this beverage as a cross between an agua fresca and agua de Flor de Jamaica.
All of the beverages discussed above are the perfect accompaniment to a spicy Mexican meal. A savory chicken gordita and rice pairs very well with a mango agua fresca. Or the regional fish stew over rice with a cool agua de Flor de Jamaica is a lovely contrast in heat and flavor. Some of the varieties are definitely an acquired taste, such as cucumber or tamarind. Then again, experimentation with new foods is what makes a vacation to a foreign nation so much more adventurous!
There is some speculation that aguas frescas gave birth to the modern bottled fruit beverages now popular in Mexico. That may be so, but they are still a staple beverage at celebratory gatherings and easily made in the home. Next time the Day of the Dead or Cinqo de Mayo rolls around, have yourself a genuine Mexican meal. All the dishes are easy to make, use fresh ingredients and will be a big hit with the family. Buen Provecho!
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