How to warm up during the cold peruvian afternoons and evenings and at the same time do not spend too much money? Well, there is a very good solution. Let’s taste peruvian emoliente tea, a special powerful beverage prepared with different herbs. This drink is both very healthy and in the same time extremely cheap. One glass of this unique tea costs only 1 sol with co-called “yapa”.
Where you can taste peruvian tea emoliente?
Powerful herbal tea emoliente is famous in all Peru. It is served on a small let’s say moving cars (street trucks), which appear more or less after 5-6 pm on the corners of peruvian streets, like “mushrooms after the rain”. Just go out and look for a special mobile car with different characteristic bottles on one side, like the one you can see in the pictures below…
Emoliente tea in Cusco
Ask the seller for hot or only warm emoliente (you can choose) and in a few seconds your delicious tea will be ready 🙂
Emoliente tea in Cusco
Emoliente tea in Cusco
This magical tea contains some plants / herbs. Moreover if you have any health problems, you can explain it for the seller and he or she will prepare for you the most appropriate drink based on emoliente tea. In that case the vendedor will add to your emoliente tea some other plants – every plant is in a different bottle (the bottles on the left side on the street truck – the picture above).
Emoliente tea in Ollantaytambo
The most common plants which are used as an addition to emoliente tea are, under request of the clients, you will find below:
- boldo (Peumus boldus)
- cats claw (Uncaria tomentosa)
- aloe vera
- stonebreaker (Phyllanthus niruri)
- alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
Emoliente with this additional plants is not only a very healthy but also very delicious beverage so it is worth to taste it even in the absence of any health problems :-).
Hhmm… tastes great and definitely warms up during the walks in the peruvian cities – especially in the Andes, where the temperature in the evenings drops significantly compared to the temperatures during the day.
Where you can taste peruvian tea emoliente outside Peru?
For sure emoliente is also famous in Ecuador. Maybe in other countires too, but I have not had possibility to check it yet. Of course all thanks to Peruvians who successfully maintain the tradition of drinking that unique tea also in this country. I was very glad that I had the opportunity to drink my favourite peruvian tea when I was in Ecuador :-).
Emoliente tea in Ecuador
Emoliente tea in Ecuador
The main ingredients of peruvian emoliente tea?
The ingredients of emoliente can differ depends on the region and availability of the plants. But in general the main ingredients of this special tea are as follows:
- dried horse tail (Equisetum spp.)
- barley
- flax seeds (linaza)
- llanten (plantain leaf)
- chopped quince (optional)
- water
- sugar or honey
- lemon juice
The ingredients for emoliente you can find in every market.
Herbs for emoliente tea
They are packed in the plastic bags.
Herbs for emoliente tea
You just need to boil all of them. But remember about the queue. First you need to boil seeds and the ingredients which have roots – around one hour. After that add all the plants with leaves.
During your visit in Peru, don`t forget to try this typical peruvian beverage! Who knows, maybe you will fall in love in emoliente like me 🙂
Cheers!!!
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2 Comments
Hello Borja,
in general Emoliente tea is a herbal tea which should not make any problems for your stomach. When I have any problems I drink it – but I live in Peru som eyears already. But of curse if the infection is big, it is better to avoid any local, street food and beverages.
When you will recover – yes definitely I recommend you to try it! Just always ask for the plastic cup – do not drink from the glass cups, which the seller provides.
I wish you all the best, and especially no more stomach problems 🙂
Sylwia
Hello Sylwia. I have a question for you. The time I have been in Cusco, I have seen a lot of people selling Moliente in the streets. I though about getting some, but my stomach is quiet sensible. Should I still try. Is there anything that could hurt it since I´m not used to some of the ingredients of herbs? thanks.