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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10 comments

  1. Mmm interesting, nope haven't seen that here where I'm from anyway!

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  2. I don't remember seeing it when I lived in Tucson, but I bet it is there:-) Sounds refreshing and delicious!
    Hugs, Terra

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  3. I will have to look here, considering I live north of Chicago chances are not available here but you never know! I will ask my sis who is in southern Az of she can locate this. It does sound refreshing tho! : )

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  4. I am going to ask about it here (east of DF.) I haven't seen it. I asked my hubby and he swears he has never heard of it but he is from Oaxaca and they may have another name for it although. I never saw any there. I love Iced Tea so will have to look for it.

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  5. no, I do not think so as I have never heard of it... and you are so right it was indeed a mystery, I looked at the name and the picture and tried to come up with what to do with it, did not think of tea

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  6. Hi i´m from mexico and if it is what i think it is then you're not only talking about some refreshing iced tea, pingüica is used to clean your urinary system, when i was in elementary school they gave us a little plant as a project and we should take care of it, mine was a pingüica and it ended up growing healthy and beautiful and my mother use to make some infusion from it for my older sister who use to have problems with her you know urinary system :S, i´ve never give it a try though.

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  7. It sounds refreshing...and if I remember right, I've seen it at the Mexican market, but never knew what it was (and always forgot to ask the hubs). Thanks for the introductions :)

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  8.  Leslie, I love learning about new ingredients, so your post about pinguica totally piqued my interest.  I'm going to have to look for it next time I hit up our wonderful new Mexican supermarket!

    Visiting from the Lady Blogger Social Tea Party, and was already a follower of "Motherhood in Mexico", so I figured I'd visit and follow here as well.

    Jenn/Rook No. 17

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  9. I've never had this but it sure does look refreshing! I've just added you to my Reader, love the site! :) 

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  10. I've been looking in L.A. for pinguica.  I'm hoping to find it in downtown so I can make this!  Looks delish!

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