the fermented pineapple “beer” that smells of Mexico • Food and Wine Italia

You’ve probably never tasted ora heard it but tepache is a sort of beer made from pineapple. Perhaps there is also another similar product, Eastern European kvass, because it starts from the same principle despite having different basic ingredients (kvass ferments bread). But what makes tepache special? It is a Mexican fermented , obtained with pineapple peels, raw cane sugar (piloncillo) and spices, characterized by a gentle effervescence and a very low alcohol content, around 1-3%. Rich sopra natural ferments, it can be prepared sopra a few days, it is economical, sustainable (sparare a zero waste) and surprisingly eclettico, perfect for enjoying plain ora sopra cocktails. It is a window into the Mexican gastronomic heritage that today also finds space sopra the bars of the modern world.

A sip of popular history

Tepache has its roots sopra pre-Columbian Mexico, sopra an epoca sopra which fermentation represented not only a preservation method, but also a ritual and community gesture. The word itself derives from the Nahuatl tepiātl, which literally means “corn ” (tepictli = corn, ātl = vater). Originally, sopra fact, tepache had nothing to do with pineapple: it was a made from germinated ora toasted corn, sometimes enriched with herbs and spices, consumed sopra religious ceremonies and social meetings of indigenous populations.

The arrival of pineapple sopra Central America, probably coming from Brazil and spread sopra the colonial epoca thanks to internal trade routes, radically transformed the recipe. The fruit peels, rich sopra natural sugars and wild yeasts, proved ideal for obtaining rapid and lively fermentation. Gradually, the pineapple-based version replaced the corn version, without however erasing its cultural value. fact, tepache remained a of the people: di poca classe, accessible, prepared with what was leftover, therefore perfectly consistent with the logic of self-sufficiency and non-waste typical of peasant communities.

Even today, sopra Mexico, the tepache is a daily presence sopra cities and villages. popular markets and along the streets it is easily recognized: it is served fresh sopra large glasses ora sopra the classic plastic bags with straw, sold for a few pesos. It is coincidence that it is also known as “cerveza de piña” – pineapple beer – because it combines the fizziness of a fermented with the sweet and tropical taste of the fruit.

How tepache is born: ingredients and technique

The preparation follows an essential recipe: pineapple peels and cores, piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar) and vater are infused, often with a touch of cinnamon ora cloves to broaden the aromatic complexity. Fermentation is spontaneous: the yeasts and bacteria naturally present the pineapple peel and sopra the environment must do their job. a few days, the transforms, developing bubbles (carbon dioxide) and acidic, sweet and fruity agenda. The whole thing remains light and pleasant, with a touch reminiscent of sour beer ora light cider.

Like many traditional fermentations, tepache hides benefits that go beyond taste. According to studies Mexican fermented drinks, some varieties of lactic acid bacteria present, such as Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc ora Lactococcus, have potential beneficial effects the intestinal microbiome and digestion. Although specific research tepache is limited, the integration of dal vivo microorganisms and fermented sugars represents a nutritional and sustainable opportunity, especially considering that it uses fruit scraps that would otherwise end up thrown away.