Tepache: The New Organic Beverage You Can’t Live Without!

Watch out, kombucha; tepache is the new organic beverage on the block! In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the newest beverage you can’t live without. First, we’ll take a look at a general overview of tepache, and then we’ll give you a breakdown of all the health benefits of this delicious, probiotic beverage. 

Overview of Tepache 

In this section, we’ll provide you with a brief overview of tepache: where it’s from, how it’s made, and all the general information you need to know about this delicious, organic drink. 

What Is Tepache?

Tepache is a traditional Mexican beverage made from fermented pineapple, specifically the rinds and cores. Although its exact origins are unknown, it’s thought that tepache originated with the Mayan or the Nahua people of Central Mexico, long before the arrival of Columbus and the Spaniards.

As a drink traditionally made at home, there are several thousands of different variations of the tepache recipe. Given that it was not standardized by the Spanish, many of these variations still exist today. However, nowadays, tepache is usually sold on the streets in Mexico and enjoyed as a refreshing mid-day treat. 

What Does It taste Like? 

Tepache has a sweet, subtle flavor and, due to the fermentation process, it is carbonated like soda. Given that both tepache and kombucha are fermented, probiotic drinks, the two are often compared. However, unlike kombucha, tepache does not have a strong, sour flavor and contains less added sugar, given that it is made from pineapple, a naturally sweet fruit, as oppressed to tea. The flavor of tepache is lighter than kombucha, with a sweet, citrusy aftertaste, because it contains less acetic acid. That being said, given that there are so many varieties of tepache, there isn’t one distinct flavor. 

How Is Tepache Made?

Tepache is surprisingly easy to make at home. In fact, all you need to make the most basic variety of tepache is a pineapple, water, sugar, and whatever else you want to use to flavor your tepache. 

Once you have all of your ingredients, all you need to do is mix the pineapple rinds and core with the water and sugar and allow the liquid to ferment for 2-3 days. Of course, there are several different variations of this process depending on what type of tepache you are making and how strong you want your tepache to be. 

Are There Different Flavors? 

Yes! The great thing about tepache is that such a wide variety of flavors exist. We have four different flavors of tepache available: Moderno Orange Tumeric, Picante Mango Chili, Regional Tamarind Citrus, and Traditional Pineapple Spice. For the most part, people use different fruits and spices to create different tepache flavors. 

Is Tepache Alcoholic? 

The answer to this question is a little bit trickier. Technically, tepache is alcoholic because it is a fermented beverage, and during fermentation, sugars are broken down into alcohol and carbon dioxide. That being said, there’s a very small amount of alcohol in tepache. Usually, tepache has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of anywhere between 0.5%-2%.

To make tepache more alcoholic, it has to ferment for longer or ferment in a warmer place. Although it is not naturally an alcoholic beverage in the same way as wine, beer, and liquor, people often add tepache to cocktails.

When Should I Drink Tepache? 

The answer to this question is easy: all the time! One of our favorite things about tepache is that it’s a beverage you can enjoy at any time of the day and with any meal. Unlike other carbonated drinks like soda, tepache pairs perfectly with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Whether you’re on a hike with friends, strolling through the city, or making a delicious Taco Tuesday dinner for friends, tepache is the perfect beverage to sip and share. 

As a Secret Ingredient in Cocktails 

Another reason we love tepache is that it is the best secret ingredient in cocktails. The subtle, citrusy flavor and refreshing carbonation in tepache make it the ideal drink to mix with tequila. That being said, if you’re a more adventurous cocktail-maker, you can try swapping pineapple juice for tepache in several of your favorite cocktails to give them a surprising twist. 

When You’re Craving Soda

Tepache is the perfect drink for anyone who loves soda but wants to cut it out of their diet. Given that tepache is a carbonated beverage, it has the same satisfying fizz as soda. However, because tepache is made with naturally sweet fruits, there’s very little added sugar. Also, given that tepache is made with real fruits, it does not rely on chemicals for its bold flavors. It’s also a naturally low-calorie drink, so it makes an ideal soda substitute. 

Is Tepache Healthy? 

Another question that’s easy to answer! Yes, tepache is very healthy. In this section, we’ll cover all the major health benefits of tepache.

Low-Calorie 

There are about 40 calories in every can of tepache. The reason our tepache has so few calories as compared to other carbonated drinks such as soda is that we rely on the natural sugars found in different fruits to sweeten our drinks. 

The majority of calories in soda come from added sugars used to make the flavor more enjoyable. These added sugars, such as sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup, are empty calories. Empty calories provide energy but no nutritional value. For this reason, it’s much better to drink low-calorie drinks and get the calories you need from healthy foods such as granola, fish, avocado, sweet potatoes, all of which are full of vitamins and nutrients. 

Probiotic Beverage 

Tepache is also a probiotic beverage, making it great for digestion and good gut health overall. Probiotics are “good” bacteria that help the naturally-occurring “good” bacteria in your gut fight off “bad” bacteria and increase digestion. For this reason, it’s recommended that you drink probiotic beverages while taking antibiotics to help ensure that the bacterial equilibrium in your gut stays at a healthy level.

Tepache also develops prebiotic qualities as it is made. Prebiotics are the fuel sources for probiotic bacteria and yeast. Foods that have both probiotic and prebiotic qualities, such as tepache, are known as synbiotic. Synbiotic foods are incredibly functional because they contain the good bacteria your body needs and the food necessary to keep that bacterial alive and functioning. 

Made From Fresh, Organic Ingredients 

Finally, our tepache is always made from fresh, organic ingredients. For this reason, you’re not going to see a whole list of words you can’t pronounce on the label. Instead, you’ll recognize your favorite fruits, spices, and superfoods (like ginger and tamarind!) as the source of the delicious flavor in all our tepache. 

And, given that our drinks are flavored with fruits such as mangoes and oranges that are packed with vitamin C, they can help give your immune system a boost when you’re fighting off illness or infection.

Conclusion 

Tepache is the new organic beverage you can’t live without! This delicious, bubbly drink is a natural probiotic, low-calorie beverage made from real, fresh, organic ingredients. You can drink tepache on its own at any time of the day or mix it into your favorite cocktails to give them a new, fizzy twist. Tepache is a favorite on the streets of Mexico and is the perfect beverage to take along on all your adventures! 

Sources:

10 Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin | Healthline

Rethink Your Drink | Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity | CDC

11 Health Benefits of Ginger: Effect on Nausea, the Brain & More | Healthline