Drinks
Dried Peach and Husked Wheat Drink
Ingredients
- - 200 g (1 cup) dried peaches (huesillos), preferably with pits
- - 1.5 L (6 cups) water
- - 1 cup (200 g) sugar
- - 1 cinnamon stick
- - 200 g (1 cup) cooked husked wheat (mote), rinsed
Method
- Soak the dried peaches in water for 2-3 hours, or overnight, until softened.
- Combine the peaches with their soaking water, sugar and cinnamon stick in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the peaches are tender and the liquid becomes a light syrup.
- Remove the cinnamon stick and let the syrup and peaches cool completely, then refrigerate until very cold.
- In each serving glass, spoon in a layer of cooked mote, add a whole peach, and top up with the chilled syrup.
- Serve with a long spoon to scoop the mote and peach as you drink.
Introduction: A beloved summer street drink, mote con huesillo layers sweet dried-peach syrup, a whole rehydrated dried peach (huesillo) and cooked husked wheat (mote), traditionally sold from carts at markets and beaches during Chile's hot months.
Cultural Background: A beloved summer street drink, mote con huesillo layers sweet dried-peach syrup, a whole rehydrated dried peach (huesillo) and cooked husked wheat (mote), traditionally sold from carts at markets and beaches during Chile's hot months.
Tips: Chill the syrup thoroughly — mote con huesillo should always be served ice cold, especially in summer.
Variations: If dried peaches aren't available, dried apricots make an acceptable substitute, though the flavor differs slightly. Naturally vegan as written.
Drinks
Storage: Refrigerate the syrup, peaches and mote separately in airtight containers for up to 5 days.
Reheating: This is a cold drink and is not reheated. Nutrition (approx., per serving) Approx. 190 kcal, 2g protein, 46g carbohydrate, 0g fat, 3g fiber per serving.
FAQs
Q: What is mote?
A: Husked, cooked wheat berries with a chewy texture, similar to pearled barley, used in this drink and in some soups.
Q: Is this a drink or a dessert?
A: It's traditionally sold and enjoyed as a refreshing drink, though it's eaten with a spoon like a dessert.