Chan refresher is a refreshing drink made with chan seeds soaked in water, similar to chia seeds, mixed with lemonade.
It’s a drink shared by several Central American countries, also present in Costa Rican cuisine, especially during the hot months.
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Costa Rican Chan Drink
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Costa Rican
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of chan seeds
- 1 liter of water (about 4 cups)
- Lemon juice, to taste
- Sugar, to taste
- Ice, to taste
Preparation
- Soak the seeds, place the chan seeds in a little water and let sit for at least 30 minutes, until they swell and form a gel-like texture.
- Make the lemonade, mix the rest of the water with the lemon juice and sugar to taste.
- Combine, stir the hydrated chan seeds into the lemonade and mix well.
- Chill, refrigerate or add ice directly.
- Serve, serve very cold, in a glass.
Tips for getting it right
- Soaking the seeds for at least 30 minutes is essential for them to develop their characteristic gel-like texture.
- Adjust the amount of sugar and lemon to personal taste, since acidity can vary depending on the lemons used.
- Chan refresher is traditionally served very cold, ideal for hot days.
- It can be made with strawberry essence for a sweeter, more aromatic variant.
Traditional variations
- It’s a drink shared with Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, where it’s known as “fresco de chan.”
- Some versions add strawberry essence instead of, or alongside, the lemon.
How to serve
Chan refresher is served very cold, in a glass, with ice.
It’s a refreshing drink typical of hot days in Costa Rica and other Central American countries.
Recommended sides
- Fritters
- Tamales
Did you know?
Chan seeds are related to chia and are also traditionally credited with medicinal uses, such as easing digestive discomfort.
When soaked, chan seeds form a characteristic gel-like coating, similar to chia seeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's a seed similar to chia that, when soaked in water, forms a gel-like texture used to prepare a refreshing drink.
It's recommended to soak them for at least 30 minutes, until they swell and take on their characteristic gel-like texture.
No, it's shared with Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, where it's also prepared as a traditional refreshing drink.
Yes, some versions add strawberry essence to give it a sweeter, more aromatic flavor.
