Tasty Facts About Mexico's "Tejuino" Corn Drink
Corn is the essence and the soul of real Mexican food. It was domesticated around 10,000 years ago, in central Mexico, and at some point – no one knows exactly when – it was first mixed with water, and became tejuino. Ever since then, it’s been a vital part of the Mexican way of life.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUgc7tyg1jS/?tagged=tesg%C3%BCino&hl=es
During pre-Columbian times, the inevitable happened: this corn and water mixture fermented, and tenuino become an alcoholic beverage. This imbued the drink with a new, magical meaning: now, the same corn that fed the Mexican people also formed a bridge to the gods, that could be crossed during a mystical, alcohol-enriched experience. Nowadays, it’s still used in special ceremonies by some indigenous peoples of Mexico.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNucAz7gSVU/?tagged=tesg%C3%BCino&hl=es
Tejuino became a kind of ancient corn beer that spread over all of Latin America. There are some variations, such as the famous atole, a hot corn beverage; pozol, which is corn mixed with cacao; or tejate, which is very well known in Oaxaca and is made from corn mixed with mamey. If you go even further to the south, you will come across api, a traditional Bolivian drink made with corn, which is very similar to tejuino.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWWBoc_hcwL/?tagged=tejate&hl=es
The ancient drink later evolved to become the drink that is now known and loved by locals throughout Mexico. You can find a tejuino street stall in many towns all around the country.
One of the places where you will come across a traditional kind of tejuino is Guadalajara, the capital of the state of Jalisco, in Western Mexico. Here, the drink has a pinch of salt and some lemon juice, and is topped with handmade lemon ice cream.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWWlrLSAXVx/?tagged=tejuino&hl=es
Many people will find the tejuino flavor a little bitter, salty and thick. But give it a try, and think of all the history behind this really original drink. Do look for a very clean kiosk where the ingredients are handled with care.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWRE293AIHS/?tagged=tejuino&hl=es
If you are surprised by how much Mexicans love this unprepossessing beverage, remember that children have known the taste since they were young, so their palate is accustomed to this particular flavor.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWT97DQBNP2/?tagged=tejuino&hl=es
There are many places where you will see tejuino sellers in Guadalajara, but particularly worthy of note are the Marcelino Tejuino y Garrafa and the Tejuino con Nieve.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
