Authentic Horchata Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is authentic horchata made of? ›

Mexican Agua de Horchata is typically made out of rice and cinnamon, both of which are soaked overnight and then mixed in a blender. Sugar and vanilla extract are also added for additional flavor, and Milk is another optional addition.

While Mexican horchata is made using rice that has been soaked overnight in water, sugar, and cinnamon, the ancient Spanish recipe that is still used today in places like Valencia used tiger nuts instead of rice to create their refreshing beverage.

The original horchata from Valencia, Spain is made from chufa, or tiger nuts, water, sugar and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. Tiger nuts didn't grow in the Americas when the Spanish arrived, so the Spanish used different nuts, seeds and grains to recreate horchata in their colonies.

Horchata (pronounced or-CHAH-tah) is a popular Mexican drink that is often described as a sweet rice milk beverage. Horchata is made out of rice, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon and is served in many Mexican restaurants.

Yes, there are various types of horchata based on regional preferences and available ingredients. For instance, horchata de chufa (made with tiger nuts) is popular in Spain, while horchata de arroz (made with rice) is more common in Latin America.

The texture of horchata is slightly grainy, but otherwise smooth and refreshing. To achieve this texture, be sure to fully pulverize the rice and cinnamon in a grinder.

Horchata is very beneficial to health and is rich in iron. Although the drink comes ready-made, it is ideal to consume outside on hot days. It has a very different taste to the rice horchata (horchata de arroz) consumed in Latin America.

Starches are the main agent in Oaxacan, Valencian and other grain- and tuber-based horchatas. Free starch molecules will mix with and thicken water, but inside the plant parts that make starches, like grains of rice, the molecules are glued and laminated together into aggregates called starch granules.

History and composition

The drink originated in North Africa, and it is estimated that during the 11th century, it began to spread throughout Hispania (now Spain and Portugal). There are 13th-century records of an horchata-like beverage made near Valencia, where it remains a common drink.

To limit bacteria growth, it should be refrigerated after 2 hours and the drink consumed within 5 days. This version has been updated. The rice needs to be soaked for at least 2 hours at room temperature, and up to overnight in the refrigerator. The horchata can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.

What is horchata called in English? ›

Meaning of horchata in English. a drink made from nuts or rice, that looks like milk and is drunk in Spain and Latin American countries, or a glass of this drink: Valencia is also known for its horchata. We stopped for a horchata at the elegant El Espejo cafe.

Through this slow drying process a good amount of the sweetness in the horchata drink comes from the tuber itself, because carbohydrates in the chufa are given enough time to gradually turn into sugars. Fresh horchata is then made from the tiger nuts soaked in water with added sugar.

Stopping in for a quick Saturday co*cktail to share this (extra) Dirty Horchata. Homemade Horchata, a sweet cinnamon drink popular throughout Latin America, is topped off with coffee and a splash of dark rum (or Kahlúa). It's a touch of creaminess, hinted with cinnamon and coffee, and perfectly sweet.

Horchata that has gone bad will usually smell sour, similar to spoiled milk. Also, if you pour it and observe any clumps, chunks, or separated layers, these are clear signs that the horchata is no longer good. The taste, too, will be off, generally sour or rancid. Always store horchata in the refrigerator.

Horchata de Chufa, one of Spain's most famous non-alcoholic drinks, is originally from the southwestern region of Valencia. It's made from ground chufa nuts ('tigernuts' in English), which aren't actually nuts at all – they're the roots of a wetland plant called a sedge.

Some recipes add almonds or other nuts and even cows' milk for a richer, creamier beverage. I can't believe how easy it is to make at home using leftover rice! By using cooked rice instead of raw rice, you can skip the planning ahead, soaking, waiting, and straining of traditional horchata recipes.

Horchata will make your skin look healthier because of the high levels of antioxidants in this tasty drink. Drinking horchata every day may help reduce inflammation in the body which could lead to chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease.

Homemade Horchata, a sweet cinnamon drink popular throughout Latin America, is topped off with coffee and a splash of dark rum (or Kahlúa). It's a touch of creaminess, hinted with cinnamon and coffee, and perfectly sweet. Finish this co*cktail off with a dusting of warming cinnamon.

What is Horchata? While versions vary, Horchata in Mexico is always a rice-based drink. This version you see here consists of rice, toasted almonds, cinnamon sticks, brown sugar, salt and a bit of vanilla, All of these ingredients are soaked in water for about 4 hours or overnight.