Ecuador: Top Beverages You Should Try When Visting the 'Country of Four Worlds'
Ecuadorians enjoy a variety of beverages like "agua de fresco," a fruity water with flavors like strawberries and pineapple. For chilly nights, there's "canelazo," a warm mix of water, sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of alcohol. "Chicha" offers a fizzy corn-based drink, while "café pasado" delivers a strong coffee fix. RODRIGO BUENDIA/AFP via Getty Images

When you travel to a new place like Ecuador, it's exciting to taste the local food and drinks. This helps you experience the culture and meet new friends.

Luckily, Ecuador has a lot of different drinks to try, like herbal teas and fruity drinks.

Some are special for holidays, while others are enjoyed all year round, per Happy Gringgo.

These are some Traditional Ecuadorian beverages.

Canelazo

In Quito's chilly, rainy nights, indulge in a Canelazo, a beloved Ecuadorian beverages.

Commonly found across the country, it varies in preparation but typically includes aguardiente liquor, cinnamon, naranjilla fruit, water, and sugar.

Served hot, it offers a perfect blend of spice and warmth, popular during Fiestas de Quito festivities, often enjoyed alongside the traditional card game of Cuarenta.

Colada Morada

Colada Morada, a cherished Ecuadorian beverage, is a centerpiece of the Day of the Dead celebrations on November 2nd.

Made with blue or black corn flour, Andean blackberries, pineapple rinds, and spices like sweet pepper and cloves, it simmers into a thick, sweet soup.

Often served alongside guaguas de pan (bread babies), it symbolizes honoring departed loved ones.

While restaurants offer it before the holiday, homemade Colada Morada shared with family holds special significance.

Mate de coca

Mate de coca, an herbal tea brewed from coca leaves, offers a traditional remedy for altitude sickness and a mild energy lift, Bacon is Magic noted.

Distinguished from Argentine mate, it's legal and popular in South America but restricted in some countries due to coca's association with cocaine.

Chicha de piña

Chicha de piña, a fizzy and refreshing beverage popular across Latin America, is crafted from pineapple.

Prepared through fermentation or immediate simmering, it typically includes pineapple core and rind, sugar (preferably brown or unrefined cane like panela or piloncillo), water, and optional spices like cinnamon or anise.

Fermentation enhances flavor over a few days.

Morocho

This yummy Ecuadorian beverage is made with cracked corn, cinnamon, sugar, raisins, and milk.

It's like having a drink and dessert at the same time, depending on how it's made. Some people call it spiced corn pudding.

Morocho has a thick texture, kind of like a milkshake. Sometimes it's so thick that you need a spoon to enjoy it.

Horchata Tea

Ecuadorians treasure horchata tea for its health benefits; originating from Loja province.

Rich in 71 medicinal plants, it's renowned for its 32 uses in wellness.

Brewed from 28 herbs and flowers like fuchsias, chamomile, and rose geraniums, sweetened with panela and lemon juice, it's enjoyed hot or cold for its pink hue, with many indulging in multiple cups daily.

Colada de Avena

Known by various names like Colada de Avena con naranjilla or simply "Quaker," this Ecuadorian beverage is a staple for breakfast or a post-school/work snack.

Made with oats, panela, cinnamon, water, and naranjilla fruit, it's often enhanced with passion fruit, mountain papaya, or pineapple.

Refreshing and nutritious, it's prized for its fruity and oat-infused goodness.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

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