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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Learning About Costa Rican Plant Life

Our Tico friend, Luis, stopped by our gate today bearing gifts and those gifts were ...... sticks.

Here is what the sticks look like:

He indicated that we should smash them with a hammer, put them in water with a bit of sugar for two days and, voila, we would have a very refreshing drink. He said the name of the plant was "mozote" and his wife drinks the prepared water to settle her stomach.

Well, I certainly had to learn more about this plant/bush/tree, whatever it is.

A Google search led me to Finca El Tigre where I learned that mozote is a rural Costa Rican drink. The locals drink it regularly to maintain intestinal health. But, besides that, apparently it is just a nice cold drink. You are going to have to search their site for September 24, 2010, to find this article. I couldn't do a direct link to it.

Another Google link to the Tico Times explained more about this plant.

I decided to peel the bark after reading up on preparation, rather then smashing it with a hammer. It peels very easily but you will get a glutinous substance on your hands, which washes off easily. Instead of leaving the concoction to sit for two days, I have opted to refrigerate it for one day.

Here are my sticks in their water:

I'll follow up on this tomorrow when the drink is ready!

 

 

5 comments:

Arlyn said...

Can't wait to hear the outcome.

Diana Miskell said...

Once the sticks had steeped, I removed them and added mango chunks and fresh lime juice.

Diana Miskell said...

Icy cold and really refreshing!

Unknown said...

I found a ready-made drink containing mozote, cinnamon, clove and honey. Delicious.

Diana Miskell said...

What was the name?