Agua Fresca
Aguas Frescas are popular in Mexico not just during the summertime, but all year round because they are made with fresh fruits available according to the season. Mexico’s climate and geography are very diverse. Its geographical features range from the swamp to desert and from tropical lowland jungle to high alpine vegetation.
Mexico, This diversity allows for an abundance of fruits and vegetables throughout the year, with some fruits and vegetables particular to just some regions. That is the case of the Pineapple that grows in several states, where Tabasco, Veracruz, and Oaxaca are the states with the biggest pineapple production. For this reason, it is not wondered that Pineapple Agua Fresca with Chaya is more popular in the southern states of the country.
As I mentioned before, chaya is consumed cooked in many dishes and raw only when mixed with an acid agent. In this recipe, I am using Chaya in a very popular way to consume it in Tabasco and other States in the Yucatan Area, as Agua Fresca. It is so refreshing, healthy and a perfect treat for the coming hot days of summer.
Chaya Plant, photo courtesy of Carmen of Chaya Plants.
This post is part of my participation as International Ambassador for “Come Tabasco”. A campaign that looks to promotes the bounty of the state of Tabasco products. Tabasco is a beautiful state in the southern area of the country located in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, with an exuberant vegetation and tropical weather.
Agua Fresca made with Pineapple, Orange & Chaya
DIRECTIONS:
- Add pineapple chunks, orange juice, chaya, and water into a blender, and puree until smooth. (Please check the ingredients list below)
- Divide the ices cubes into four glasses and pour in the Pineapple-orange-chaya agua fresca. Stir, taste to check if it needs some honey and serves.
AGUA FRESCA MADE WITH PINEAPPLE, ORANGE & CHAYA
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Fresh pineapple chopped
- 1 cup fresh orange juice preferably homemade
- 1 cup Chaya leaves chopped*
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups cubes of ice
- Honey if needed
Instructions
- Add pineapple chunks, orange juice, chaya and water into a blender, and puree until smooth.
- Divide the ices cubes into four glasses and pour in the Pineapple-orange-chaya agua fresca. Stir, taste to check if it needs some honey and serves.
Notes
- If you can”t find Chaya leaves, use spinach or baby kale.
- Use a few teaspoons of Honey, only if your fruit is not sweet enough. I personally don’t add it but many people in Mexico add it.
¡Buen provecho!
Mely,
To know more about this campaign look for @cometabasco on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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oh my, looks very refreshing
Aren't chaya leaves toxic if not cooked?
Hello Josiah,
As I mentioned above, chaya usually has to be cooked, but when you mix it with an acid agent, like pineapple, lime, etc., you don't need to cook it. You can also check my previous post of Scrambled eggs with chaya.
https://www.mexicoinmykitchen.com/2015/04/scrambled-eggs-with-chaya-super-food.html
I hope you try the drink is really refreshing.
Regards,
looks refreshing
Will try today with kale instead. Thank you!