Rachel Laudan

Agua Fresca 22: Why I Think Mexican Tepache is First Cousin to Hard Cider

By Rachel Laudan June 21, 2009 Drink, Food History 14 Comments

A slight tingle, a flinty taste, verging on sour.  What is this?  A moment of confusion. I am taken back to English pubs in the west country before urbanization and…

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Grinding Pineapple on a Metate (Simple Grindstone, Saddle Quern)

By Rachel Laudan September 6, 2008 Drink, Food History, Grinding, Mexican Food 5 Comments

Inspired by this oil painting that shows a woman grinding pineapple to make juicel, I thought it was time to have a go myself. Now, you might say, who in…

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Before the Blender

By Rachel Laudan August 26, 2008 Drink, Grinding, Mexican Food 2 Comments

Now here’s a question. How did Mexicans make agua fresca before every household had its blender?  Some fruits–the citrus–are easy to juice.  But that’s not true of other agua fresca…

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