Chicha de Mixco is a traditional fermented corn drink, associated with the festival of the Virgen de los Morenos in the municipality of Mixco, Guatemala.
It’s a festive, communal drink, with strong cultural roots in the region’s patron saint celebrations.
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Guatemalan Chicha de Mixco Drink
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 72 hours
- Total Time: 73 hours
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Guatemalan
Ingredients
- 1 kg of corn, cooked and ground (about 2.2 lb)
- 500 g of panela (unrefined cane sugar), grated (about 17.5 oz)
- 4 liters of water (about 17 cups)
- 1 of cinnamon stick
- 3 of cloves
Instructions
- Make the base, mix the cooked, ground corn with the panela, cinnamon, cloves, and water in a large container.
- Ferment, cover the container with a cloth and let ferment in a warm place for several days, checking the process daily.
- Check, the chicha is ready when it develops a slightly sour, aromatic flavor characteristic of fermentation.
- Strain, strain the fermented liquid to remove solids.
- Serve, serve in small portions, according to local custom, especially during the patron saint festival.
Tips for getting it right
- Fermentation time depends on room temperature and can take several days; it’s best to taste the mixture periodically.
- Covering the container only with a cloth, not an airtight lid, is essential for proper fermentation.
- It’s a drink traditionally associated with the festival of the Virgen de los Morenos in Mixco.
- Chicha de Mixco is mainly a communal, festive production, tied to the patron saint celebration.
Traditional variations
- It’s a traditional drink of the municipality of Mixco, specifically associated with the festival of the Virgen de los Morenos.
- Each family or community may have small variations in the spices used.
How to serve
Chicha de Mixco is served in small portions, traditionally during the patron saint festival.
It’s a drink with strong cultural and communal meaning in Mixco, Guatemala.
Recommended sides
- None, enjoyed on its own
Did you know?
Chicha de Mixco is directly associated with the festival of the Virgen de los Morenos, one of the municipality’s most important patron saint celebrations.
It’s a communal drink, prepared especially to be shared during local religious festivities.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's a traditional fermented corn drink, associated with the festival of the Virgen de los Morenos in Mixco, Guatemala.
It's consumed especially during the patron saint festival of the Virgen de los Morenos in the municipality of Mixco.
Covering it with cloth instead of an airtight lid lets the drink breathe, which is necessary for proper fermentation.
No, it's traditionally a communal, festive production, tied to the local patron saint celebration.
