Horchata or orxata is the name for several kinds of vegetable beverages, made of ground almonds, rice, barley or tiger nuts (chufas).

The name comes from Valencian orxata, probably from ordiata, made from ordi (barley) (from Latin Hordeum). According to a folk etymology, James I of Aragon was offered a glass of the beverage by an Arab girl after his conquest of Valencia, and exclaimed, Aixo ès or, xata! (This is gold, girl!)

Xufa de Valencia and Orxata de Xufa de Valencia

In Spain, it usually refers to Orxata de xufes (Horchata de Chufas), made from tiger nuts, water and sugar. Originally from Valencia, Spain, it is served very very cold as a refreshment. It has a regulating council to ensure the quality of the product and the villages where it can come from, with the Denomination of Origin. The village of Alboraia is well known for the quality of their "horchatas".

The idea of making Horchata from tiger nuts comes from the period of muslim presence in Valencia (from the 8th to 13th century).

In Mexico, it is a rice based beverage in Mexican cuisine. While the drink is usually white and "milky" it can be made dairy-free through the use of blanched almonds, though some recipes call for milk. Other ingredients often include sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla or lime.

In Suriname the drink is called orgeade and made as a syrup, of sugar and almonds.

External links

• http://www.chufadevalencia.org/
• http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/horchata.htm
• http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/getrecipe.zsp?id=67964
• http://recipes.chef2chef.net/recipe-archive/8/A08437.shtml