Tepache
I’m heading to San Antonio tonight to attend a Cooking Demo with Pati Jinich, Chef, Mexican Cultural Institute, Washington, DC; Star of PBS’s Pati’s Mexican Table. I am so excited to finally meet her that I thought it was only fitting to share one of her recipes today.
Tepache!
What is tepacehe?
A fermented cider made from pineapples Tepache is seasoned with cinnamon, cloves and piloncillo. Making Tepache requires a bit of patience on your part, but the wait is definitely worth it. Typically made in wooden barrels I used my Vitrolero (big glass jar used to serve aguas frescas). Tepache takes a few days to prepare, but is great for a dinner party or a day spent grilling with the family.
Tepache
Ingredients
- 1 ripe pineapple or about 3 cups
- 4 liters water or 16 cups
- 1 pound piloncillo or dark brown sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 5 whole cloves
- 1 cup lager beer
Instructions
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Using the traditional big eathenware jug (or a large pot), bring to a boil the 16 cups water along with the piloncillo, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves. Simmer, stirring once in a while, for about 10 minutes or until the piloncillo has dissolved.
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While the water is simmering, wash the pineapple thoroughly, and remove the stem and bottom. Cut it into 2 inch cubes, without taking off its rind.
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Once the flavored water is ready, add in the pineapple chunks and cover. Let rest for 2 days, or 48 hours, in a warm area of you kitchen. The mixture will begin to ferment and bubble on the surface. Add a cup of lager beer, stir well, and let it sit for up to 12 hours more. Don’t let it ferment much longer, or you may end up with vinegar instead!
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Strain tepache through a fine strainer or cheesecloth, and serve very cold. You can either refrigerate it or serve over ice cubes.
Recipe Notes
recipe from ~ Pati Jinich
wow… Pati Jinich… you’ll have to tell all – hope you took your camera… wait, who am I talking to???
San Antonio – how far is that for you? we are thinking of heading out there this summer, I want to do eat and drink along the Paseo del Río one more time in my life, visit New Braunfels and maybe float along the Guadalupe.
Would love your input of the area…
oh this sounds so yum!
the first time i ever visited mexico my friends gave me something similar only instead of beer they used a lot of mezcal! It was pretty amazing.
WOW! This is different! It sounds delicious and I’m definitely curious enough to try it. Thanks for sharing! Have fun in San Antonio!
Que rico! We love tepache in our house. I make mine with just the pineapple peels and I don’t boil the water, but I will have to try this recipe soon. And we’ve also made the vinegre for our papas, zanahorias, peanuts, nopales, and cueritos en vinagre. Yummmmm!
Sounds like a great cider!
That is an interesting and original drink! I bet it tastes divine.
Cheers,
Rosa