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Tascalate
Toasted corn and cacao drink
Chiapas' cold drink of toasted corn, cacao, cinnamon and achiote
Tascalate is the drink of the Chiapas central valley, sold in Chiapa de Corzo and Tuxtla in tall glasses at markets and given to guests at fiestas. A powder of toasted tortillas, cacao, pine nuts, sugar, cinnamon and a little achiote is whisked into cold water or milk, so it is orange-brown, thick and nutty with a sweet chocolate finish. The powder keeps for weeks, so make a jar. Made with water it is vegan. Chef's tip: toast the tortillas until they snap cleanly; any softness leaves the powder clumpy.
- Total time
- 22 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 3 corn tortillasstale is fine
- 1 ¾ oz dark chocolate (70%), dairy-freechopped
- 1 oz pine nuts
- 2 ⅞ oz sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 4 ¼ cups ice-cold water or plant milk
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What you'll need
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Toast 3 corn tortillas on a dry comal over a medium heat for 4–5 minutes a side, until dark golden and crisp enough to snap. Let them cool.
10 minStep 2: Toast 1 oz pine nuts in the same pan for 2 minutes until golden.
2 minStep 3: Break the tortillas into a blender or spice grinder and grind with 1 oz pine nuts, 2 ⅞ oz sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, ½ tsp achiote (annatto) powder or paste and 1 ¾ oz dark chocolate (70%), dairy-free into a fine, even orange-brown powder. Common mistake: grinding warm nuts with chocolate; the mixture turns into paste. Let everything cool first.
Step 4: Blend the powder with 4 ¼ cups ice-cold water or plant milk for 1 minute until frothy, or whisk 4 heaped tablespoons into each glass. Serve over ice, stirring before drinking. Keep spare powder in a jar for up to a month.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 230 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 33 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does tascalate take?
- About 22 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 12 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of corn tortillas?
- Small flour tortillas (not gluten free).
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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