Rice is more than a staple food consumed by half of the world’s population. Affordability, easy cultivation, climate adaptability, and cooking versatility are just some features qualifying rice as the preferred grain of all.
Countless recipes where rice is the star are well-known worldwide. Its mild flavor makes it possible to use it in various dishes from the most common savory ones to incredible desserts.
Its versatility even allows creating delightful and refreshing drinks since its delicate flavor is the perfect base for pairing with herbs and other components.
You will be surprised by knowing the various rice drinks there are worldwide. You will be even more surprised to find out that you may have tried some of these drinks without perceiving rice among the ingredients.
Knowing traditional rice drinks around the world
Since its discovery, rice has been a key ingredient not only for salty and sweet preparations but for drinks too. It has been used for creating the most refreshing beverages and even rice-fermented alcoholic drinks.
Almost every country has its typical rice drink, with Japan at the top of the list by using rice as a powerful ingredient. They created alcoholic beverages like sake, whisky, vodka, and so much more.
China also has its version of spirits like Choujiu, Baijiu, and Jiuniang. India prepares Lugdi, a milky rice wine.
Alcoholic drinks apart, you can also find rice milk, rice tea, and other traditional preparations using rice as the basic component.
For example, in Korea, you can taste Hyeonmi cha, a yellowish tea made of brown rice infusion.
From Egypt, there is Sobia, a refreshing rice drink with coconut milk, sugar, and vanilla. It is prepared with cooked or ground rice.
On this side of the world, Mexican Horchata is a sweet and fresh rice drink consumed along with typical meals. It is made of rice with almonds, sugar, cinnamon sticks, milk, and vanilla.
In South America, people enjoy a lot of rice-based drinks as well. Most of them have the same ingredients, with differences in flavorings and in the preparation process.
The most famous rice beverage in this part of the world is Chicha. In general, it is a fresh drink with rice, milk or water, sugar, cinnamon, lemon zest, and vanilla. Colombia, Panama, and Bolivia have their Chicha version, but undoubtedly, Venezuela takes the trophy for the creamiest and sweetest Chicha in the world.
What is Venezuelan Chicha?
This is a traditional refreshment of that tropical country. People usually prepare it at home or buy it at street stands in almost all Venezuelan cities. Traditional Chicha has rice, sugar, and milk; served with crushed ice and with condensed milk and ground cinnamon all over the top.
People drink Chicha after a long day of work or study since it is considered comfort food. Parents offer this delicious drink to their children as a snack or reward. It is a creamy, filling, and heavy drink; with only one glass you will feel happy with a full stomach.
The best Venezuelan Chicha recipe
The secret of all rice recipes is to know the right white rice water ratio. This means that rice has to be cooked in the proper amount of water to get that creamy consistency and texture the drink needs.
Chicha is not the exception to this rule; rice in the preparation needs to be cooked with the correct amount of water to get its distinctive creamy texture.
Venezuelan Chicha is not a complicated preparation, you only need to make sure to use high-quality ingredients and add them in the right order.
Venezuelan Chicha
Ingredients (6 glasses):
- 1 cup of white rice.
- 2 cups of whole milk.
- 6 cups of water.
- 1 can of condensed milk.
- 1 cup of sugar.
- ½ teaspoon of salt.
- ½ teaspoon of nutmeg.
- 1 cinnamon stick.
- 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon for garnish.
- ¼ cup of condensed milk for garnish.
- Crushed ice.
Preparation:
- Soak rice in enough water overnight, or at least for 12 hours.
- Rinse rice, and place it in a large saucepan.
- Pour 4 cups of water, cinnamon stick, and salt. Cook at medium heat until water is almost absorbed and rice is tender. Do not let the water absorb completely.
- Take out the cinnamon stick and let the rice cool down.
- In a blender, add rice, milk, condensed milk, sugar, and nutmeg.
- Blend all ingredients at high speed until a thick, creamy mix is obtained.
- Serve with crushed ice, add condensed milk and sprinkle some cinnamon powder on top.
Photo by Charlotte May from Pexels
