How can I have horchata de chufa in the U.S.A.?

Question

I love the horchata in Spain, the recipe comes from Valencia and it uses different ingredients from Mexican horchata. I know I can't get the ingredients here in the States, but is there any way I can make something that tastes like it at home? Once I tasted a Dominican shake made from oats and carrot that tasted very similar. Does anyone have a recipe?

Answer 1

Horchata from Chufa

This is the real thing - the original and ancient recipe for Horchata from Chufa (Tiger Nut). Horchata made from chufa nut tastes completely different than Mexican Horchata made from rice. Don't confuse the two because they have nothing in common.

Horchata remains a very popular and refreshing summer drink in the region of Valencia.

INGREDIENTS:

1 kg chufas

1 kg Sugar

5 liters of Water

1 Cinamon stick

Clean the chufas very well, rinsing them in clean water.

When they are completely clean, set them to seak in a lot of cold water for 12 to 14 hours.  After this time, rinse the chufa again in clean water, changing the water until it is completely clear, then drain off all the water.  Mash the chufa or put them in a blender - to make them into a soft paste. Add a little water if needed.  Add the 5 liters of water to the paste that you have made and put in the cinnamon stick. Let it sit in a cool place (like a fridge) for 2 hours.  Add the sugar and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Now, pass the mix through a metal mesh filter, and then through a wet, damp fine-cloth filter repeat until the strained liquid does not have any large particles left.  You now have a fine, milky liguid that can be placed in the fridge to be served cold.

You can also serve the Horchata in slushy form as you would ice-cream. Simply put it in the freezer, stirring occasionaly so it does not freeze solid.  This recipe came out perfect for me.

I can't give you much information on obtaining Chufa. It can be bought in Spain at little candy shops that sell nuts (frutos secos). I've even found it at Corte Inglés in bags. Chufa is grown in the Valencia area exclusively for Horchata.

If you'd like to buy a liter of great tasting Horchata de Chufa imported from Valencia, there's a mail-order company in California that sells it. The name of the store is La Española, Inc. Their number is [phone]. A liter of real Horchata will cost you less than $5.