Alright, so the other day, I got this wild hair to try and make tejuino. I’d heard about it, you know, that fermented corn drink from Mexico? Sounds a little weird, but hey, I’m always up for a kitchen adventure.
First, I did a bit of reading. Found out it’s a drink that’s been around for ages, like, ancient Mexico ages. Some folks say it goes all the way back to the Wixárika people. I learned that “tejuino” comes from this old word, “tecuin,” which means “heartbeat.” Pretty cool, right?
Then I got to work. The basic idea is you take some piloncillo, that’s like a raw sugar, and some masa, which is like corn flour. You mix that up with water and a squeeze of lime, and then you let it sit. And sit. And sit. In my case, I used a clay pot like it is traditionally made in because I just happened to have one in the shed. Apparently, you’re supposed to let it ferment for, like, three days. Three whole days of waiting! It felt like forever.
I read somewhere that in 2008, they found a tejuino fermentation jar during some dig in a place called Guachimontones. I even tried to imagine how people made this stuff way back then. I bet they didn’t have fancy measuring cups, hah!
Anyhow, I kept checking on my little science experiment. It started to bubble a little, which I figured was a good sign. After three long days, I finally decided it was time to give it a taste.
I served it up, following the traditional way of a pinch of salt, a squeeze of lime, and some ice. I took a sip, and… it was definitely interesting. Kinda sour, kinda sweet, and definitely something I’d never tasted before.
So, yeah, that was my tejuino adventure. Not sure if I nailed it, but it was a fun experiment, and I definitely learned a lot. Plus, now I can say I’ve made an ancient Mexican drink. How cool is that?
What I learned:
- Tejuino is an ancient drink.
- Making tejuino takes a lot of patience.
- It tastes sour and sweet.
- Tejuino is served with salt, lime, and ice.
- You can ferment it in a clay pot.
My final thoughts
This tejuino project was a blast! I felt like a mad scientist in my kitchen, and I actually learned something new. If you’re looking for a little culinary adventure, give it a try. It’s definitely a unique experience.
Original article by the Author:Aminah,If you intend to republish this content, please attribute the source accordingly:https://www.jaynscott.com/tejuino-drink-origins-discover-the-history-behind-it/