National Horchata Day

National Horchata Day has been celebrated on September 24^th since 2001. If you haven’t heard of horchata before, it’s time to join in the celebration and expand your knowledge of unusual drinks. Traditionally, horchata consists of white rice that is soaked in water and seasoned with almonds, cinnamon, sugar, and tiger nuts. The mixture is crushed and strained to separate the liquid from the solids.

History

Horchata has a pleasant, soft taste with a milky texture. There are many ways to drink horchata – neat, with the addition of milk, or with flavorings such as coconut or vanilla. Nutritionists note the rich vitamin content and benefits of the drink. The drink’s roots are Mexican, but it’s incredibly popular in the US. According to another version, horchata appeared in West Africa, where it was called ‘kuunu aya’.

Interesting Facts

• Horchata is considered one of the most ancient drinks; the recipe was known in 2400 BC.
• Horchata came to Spain during the Muslim conquest.
• The Romans made a similar drink, but they used barley instead of the tiger nut, as they believed this cereal had healing properties.
• Residents of Mexico and Nigeria believe that horchata is an aphrodisiac.

How to Take Part

Share fun facts about horchata, write on social networks, and use the hashtags #NationalHorchataDay. Today there is a wide variety of flavors of horchata, some sweet, others spicier. Choose your favorite or try a few to rank the flavors. You can find ways to make horchata on the Internet; put on an apron, stock up on ingredients, and start cooking.

When is national horchata day in 2024?

National Horchata Day is observed on September 24 each year.

Observations