Medicinal Qualities of Pulque
Aguamiel and pulque are both highly nutritive liquids. Aguamiel in its raw state (prior to fermentation) contains essential amino acids, proteins, vitamins, gums and minerals and is a valuable water substitute in areas where water may be scarce or potentially contaminated and unsafe to drink. When aguamiel is dehydrated it is composed of around 90% sugars (mainly sucrose, glucose and fructose) and around 10% fructooligosaccharides (fructans – primarily … Continue reading Medicinal Qualities of Pulque
Quelite : Porophyllum pausodynum
Also called : Guaymas Poreleaf, hierba del venado, maravilla P.pausodynum, a less well known variety of slender poreleaf that was used by the Mexicans of Guaymas to alleviate headaches. (Johnson 1969). Guaymas poreleaf is native to the semi-arid region of subtropical northern Mexico and is named after an historical port city in Sonora. Before European settlement this area was populated by the Guaymas, Seri and Yaqui peoples. … Continue reading Quelite : Porophyllum pausodynum
Agave Syrup. A Healthy Alternative to Sugar?
Agave syrup has been touted as an organic, raw food, healthy alternative to sugar but what exactly is it? The agave species is native to México and the southwestern United States of America. They are neither a cactus nor a relative of the aloe plant which they resemble. There are over 200 varieties of this plant. The agave was known as “metl” in the lingua franca … Continue reading Agave Syrup. A Healthy Alternative to Sugar?
Nutritional Value of Aguamiel
Nutritional value of aguamiel from Agave atrovirens Minerals mg/100 g Potassium (K) 120.44 Calcium (Ca) 11.70 Zinc (Zn) 0.18 Iron (Fe) 0.81 Sodium (Na) 0.83 Copper (Cu) 0.07 Magnesium (Mg) 0.55 Selenium (Se) 0.047 Water-soluble vitamins mg/100 g Thiamine (B1) 0.10 Riboflavin (B2) 0.38 Niacin (B3) 4.77 Pyridoxine (B6) 0.57 Ascorbic acid (C) 17.99 Amino acids mg/100 g Aspartic acid 7.91 Glutamic acid 20.08 Serine 4.48 … Continue reading Nutritional Value of Aguamiel
The Agave, Barbacoa and Mixiotes
The leaves of the maguey, called “pencas” are utilised for numerous purposes. One variety is used to create the fibre known as sisal while the thicker varieties can be cooked and eaten. Even the thorns were used as needles and for the practice of auto sacrifice. Some religious devotees and priests would pierce their earlobes, tongues or genitals with the thorns and collect the blood … Continue reading The Agave, Barbacoa and Mixiotes
Flor de Jamaica (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Also called : Roselle, Rosella, Red sorrel, Karkady, Karkade Another popular street food in México are the agua frescas (fresh waters or cool waters). These are light non-alcoholic beverages which are flavoured with fruits, cereals, flowers, or seeds blended with sugar and water. Chia seed is often added. These drinks are typically served from large barrel-shaped glass containers and can be found in markets, taquerias, tianguis and on … Continue reading Flor de Jamaica (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Frutos de Cactus : Colonche
Updated 08 June 2022 Colonche (1) is another Mesoamerican fermented drink similar in design to tepache and pulque. It is produced from the tuna fruits of several species of the nopal cactus (most notably O.strepthacantha) and is fermented using wild yeasts. Its shelf life, like that of tepache is somewhat longer than that of pulque and it can be expected to last for as long as 14-15 days. It is a … Continue reading Frutos de Cactus : Colonche
Medicinal uses of Xoconostle
The habitual consumption of the skin and fruit of the xoconostle can be useful in the control of serum glucose in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. In healthy people xoconostle can help prevent hyperglycaemic states and potentially reduce the concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides which may be related to metabolic syndrome.(Pimienta-Barros etal) Xoconostle pears (Opuntia matudae) have attracted the attention of researchers around the world due to this … Continue reading Medicinal uses of Xoconostle
Frutos de Cactus : Xoconostle
The xoconostle (from Nahuatl xoconōchtli – ‘Xococ’ = ‘sour’ and ‘nochtli’ = tuna or prickly pear fruit) is native to central México and the arid semi-desert areas such as: Coahuila, Zacatecas, Jalisco, San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato, Queretaro, State of Mexico and Hidalgo. It is the fruit of a type of Opuntia cactus. There are more than 15 varieties of this fruit. Opuntia joconostle, O.chávena, O.lasiacantha Pfeiffer, O.matudae and O.delafuentiana are noted … Continue reading Frutos de Cactus : Xoconostle
Unknown Porophyllums
In all corners of Mexico there are varieties of porophyllum unknown to the scientific community. They remain unclassified and without the Latin nomenclature that science is so fond of. There are many varieties of pore leaf yet to be catalogued. One such variety would be Copanquelite. According to Diana Kennedy, this as yet unidentified porophyllum (My Mexico, 1998) is a delicate plant with smaller leaves … Continue reading Unknown Porophyllums
Masa Americana 