Mystery Ingredient: Pinguica {Agua de Pinguica}


Today I'm going to introduce you to an ingredient that I always keep on hand in my pantry.

So what is this mystery ingredient?  Pinguica!

Pinguica is dried manzanita that has been ground into a fine powder.  This powder is used to make a delicious Agua Fresca called Agua de Pinguica.  Think of pinguica as being an all natural instant iced tea mix.   That's exactly what I thought Agua de Pinguica tasted like the first time I tried it...Iced Tea.

I know pinguica is readily available here in Mexico, but I'm not sure if it's available in the U.S.  Is it available where you live?

 
Agua de Pinguica

Ingredients:

  • 2 heaping tablespoons pinguica powder
  • 2 quarts water (8 cups)
  • 2/3 to 1 cup sugar


Directions:
In a 2-quart pitcher, dissolve the 2 heaping tablespoons of pinguica powder in 8 cups of water.  (A little pinguica powder goes a long way!)



 Stir in the sugar, making sure that both the pinguica and sugar have dissolved.



 Serve en las rocas (on the rocks).  Enjoy!!! 




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