Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Peruvian Drinks: Cusquena, Mate de Coca, Inka Cola and PISCO! Pa' Arriva, Pa' Abajo, Pa' Centro, Pa' Dentro, Salud!!!

Cusquena! Sweeter than most beers. Taste a lot like one of my fave childhood drinks, Malta
Mate de Coca
Mate de coca is the popular name of coca tea. It is prepared with the leaves of coca. The tea can be made by boiling the coca leaves or by dipping the tea bags in hot water. The tea originated in the regions of Peru in South America. Cocaine is one of the several alkaloids present in coca tea. The coca leaves contain fiber, protein, starch, volatile oils, dextrin and some kind of sugar. But the percentage of cocaine is so less and is approximately around 0.2%. In order to get one gram of cocaine from the coca leaves, at least 500 grams of those leaves are needed. Coca tea stimulates the nerves due to the presence of several alkaloids.

By drinking coca tea or by chewing the leaves, our system absorbs more oxygen. It enables us to combat altitude sickness and digestive problems efficiently. It is used mainly to escalate the physical energy level of the body at the time of severe pain, hunger and thirst. It is very helpful in the treatment of burns and skin diseases. One cup of coca tea is sufficient to relieve a severe headache. There yah' have it folks, Peru didn't make me a cokehead, Drink up!

Pisco Sour
2 shots Pisco
1 shot lemon juice*
½ shot sugar syrup
1 egg white
Shake all ingredients hard with ice for long enough to ensure the egg white is well mixed. Strain in to a cocktail glass and add a few dashes of Angostura Aromatic bitters to the frothy top of the drink.
* You can also use limes for an equally pleasing drink - try both and see which you prefer.


Inka Cola and its distinctive acid nuclear waste color, it's sweet n mild, like a cream soda
PISCO!

Someone gotta drink this stuff, ;')
Pisco Tasting (in where else?) Pisco, Peru


Fermentation bottles

Honestly, I really wasn't listening, I was wating for the PISCO!
I'm loving the crucifix with the skull and gambling dices, Viva Pisco!
Ok, here is the deal, Pisco Sours are made with RAW egg whites, and they don't even pasteurize them at the bars, therefore, enjoying a Pisco Sour in Peru was a big no-no for me. Over 80% of raw eggs have salmonella. I don't care what anyone says. I don't live in a Rocky movie fantasy. But not to worry strawberry, heat kills salmonella, and all is ok in Rica's World, "Traime una Cusquena, Por fa'." Soon enough, I'll be enjoying salmonella-free Pisco Sours when I make them at home with Duty-free Pisco, Ay-Yah-yah!