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Chicha de Maracuyá

The Quirky Foodster Team

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Ingredients

  • Passion fruits, pulp scooped out — 6
  • Water — 960 ml (32 fl oz)
  • Sugar, or to taste — 100 g (3.5 oz)

Method

  1. Blend the passion fruit pulp with 2 cups of the water briefly to loosen the seeds from the juice.
  2. Strain through a fine sieve into a jug, pressing to extract as much juice as possible; discard the seeds.
  3. Add the remaining water and sugar, stirring until dissolved.
  4. Chill well before serving over ice.

Introduction: A sweet, tangy passion fruit drink, blended fresh and served chilled, a refreshing everyday Panamanian beverage.

Cultural Background: Chicha, a term used across Panama for fresh fruit drinks, showcases the country's abundant tropical fruit, with passion fruit (maracuyá) being one of the most popular and refreshing choices.

Tips: Blend only briefly, as over-blending can crush the seeds and add bitterness. Adjust the sugar to taste, as passion fruit can vary in tartness.

Variations: Add a splash of orange juice for extra sweetness and flavour. Blend with a little pineapple for a tropical twist.

Storage: Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating: This drink is served cold and is not reheated.

FAQs:

Q: What is chicha?

A: A general Panamanian term for fresh fruit drinks, made from a wide variety of tropical fruits blended with water and sugar.

Q: Can frozen passion fruit pulp be used?

A: Yes, thawed frozen pulp works well if fresh passion fruit isn't available.