Who Invented Horchata? [When, Where & How]

So many of us love horchata, but who invented horchata? That’s a question we commonly ask ourselves. There are different theories about this drink, so I was inspired to go on the hunt to find out where exactly did this legendary drink come from?

Horchata was invented in Ancient Egypt around 2400 BC where it was used as a form of medicine. It was popularized in the Iberian peninsula during the Moors’ siege of Hispania around 1000 years ago.

Horchata is more than just a drink. It has been present for thousands of years and has become a staple in Latino culture. Let’s find out together some fantastic details about this amazing beverage.

Do you know who invented tea bags? Let’s find out here.

Who Invented Horchata Drink?

when was horchata invented?

Horchata is a traditional sweet drink made of water, ground almonds, rice, or sesame seeds. 

It’s hard to say who created the horchata drink, but the first written trails say that it originates from Ancient Egypt around 2400 BC.

Horchata is popular in many Latin American countries. 

The drink spread throughout Europe in the 11th century as part of Spanish culture and cuisine.

Horchata’s popularity rose after the Spanish conquest of Mexico. 

In this country, where it was made with cinnamon, vanilla, and rice or barley, it became popular enough to be considered an official drink of Mexico City in 1998.

In modern times, horchata can be made with rice or almonds as an alternative to its traditional base ingredient of water and tiger nut seeds (which are similar in size to sesame seeds). 

It’s often made with cinnamon and sugar or other flavorings like vanilla extract, coconut milk, and citrus fruit peels such as lemon or orange.

Where Did Horchata Originate?

It’s not easy to say where did horchata originate. There are many theories about it. 

According to Spanish historians, it originated in Valencia. 

Another theory is that it was brought over by the Moors during their invasion of Spain in 711 AD.

However, according to Spanish historian Josep María Fontanelles, it was first made in ancient Egypt. 

He claims that this ancient drink, just like a soup, can be traced back to around 2400 BC. It was made by removing the pulp of an acacia tree and mixing it with water and sugar.

In Spain, horchata is traditionally made by soaking rice in water overnight and then blending it with sugar and other spices.

It is often served cold or at room temperature. Some people add almond milk to make it creamier, while others prefer to drink it as is.

When Was Mexican Horchata Invented?

Did you ever wonder when was Mexican horchata invented? Mexican horchata is a traditional drink made of tiger nuts, barley, rice, and almonds. 

It was invented in the 16th century by the Spaniards who ruled Mexico at that time.

The Spanish believed that tiger nuts were good for your health, so they introduced them to their new colony. 

When the Spanish arrived in Mexico they found an abundance of tiger nuts growing in the wild.

The Spanish brought these seeds back to Spain where they used them to make horchata de chufa (tiger nut milk).

How is Horchata Made?

Horchata is a traditional Mexican beverage made from the meat of tiger nuts. 

Tiger nuts are a type of edible seed that grows on the root of a plant in Southeast Asia.

Horchata has been around for centuries and is popular throughout Mexico, Central America, and Spain. 

It is most commonly made as an ice-cold drink with milk or water, but it can also be used to make desserts or used as a flavoring in other desserts.

So, what is horchata made out of? Let’s find out more about its main ingredients:

  • White rice—It’s what actually gives the horchata a unique flavor.
  • Almonds—They add texture to it and make it feel creamy on your tongue when you sip it.
  • Cinnamon—Cinnamon sticks give horchata its distinct flavor and make it taste very similar to chai tea but with no caffeine!
  • Water— It is used to soften the rice and almonds, which makes them easier to blend together and drink.
  • Sugar—It’s added to horchata for flavor and sweetness, but you can shift it to your own taste.
  • Whole milk—Whole milk adds a creamy texture to your horchata that you don’t want to miss out on!

**PRO TIP: Add a pinch of vanilla to get the perfect taste! If possible, don’t use vanilla extract, but natural vanilla.

Horchata Nutrition Facts

There are many different versions of horchata—traditional Mexican horchata, rice milk “horchata,” and even horchata made with almonds or sesame seeds! 

While there are many variations of horchata, all have the same basic ingredients: rice, cinnamon, and sugar.

All of these variations provide different horchata nutrition facts. 

Traditional Mexican horchata is made from ground almonds, sugar, and vanilla. It’s thick, creamy, and sweet

One cup of traditional Mexican Horchata has 98 calories and 22 mg sodium per serving size of 1 cup (8 fl oz). 

It also contains 59 g carbohydrates, 1 g dietary fiber, and 28 g total sugars per serving of 1 cup (8 fl oz).

Rica

Rica Horchata is a delicious beverage that is made from rice flour, cinnamon spice, non-dairy creamer, and a delicious vanilla flavor.

It is a sweet and creamy delight that everyone loves.

Each serving of Rica Horchata Beverages Juicy Whip Rica Horchata 24 Fl Oz (1 serving) contains:

  • Calories: 390 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 66 g
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Protein: 0 g

Agua

Agua de Horchata is an icy rice-based beverage, sweetened with condensed milk and flavored with vanilla and cinnamon. 

It’s sweet and creamy and very popular among Latin Americans.

Agua de Horchata contains:

  • Calories: 261 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 50,9 g
  • Fat: 3,6 g
  • Protein: 5,5 g

Caruva

If you’re looking for a drink that’s sweet and flavorful but also refreshing, Caruva is a perfect choice. 

Caruva is crafted with Caribbean Rum, cream, and natural cinnamon flavors. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and spicy!

In serving Size 8 fl oz Caruva horchata contains:

  • Calories: 150 kcal
  • Total Fat: 3.5g
  • Sodium: 60mg
  • Total Carbs: 27g
  • Total Sugars: 19g

Mexican

The Mexican horchata has a high amount of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, and C. 

It has a fair amount of minerals like calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, and manganese in it.

Mexican horchata has 98 calories per one 8 Oz (250 ml) serving size. It also contains:

  • Calories: 98 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Protein: 26 g

Kerns

Kerns horchata has 140 calories per one 8 Oz (250 ml) serving size. Kerns horchata nutrition facts are presented below:

  • Calories: 150 kcal
  • Water 48 g
  • Carbohydrates 26 g
  • Caffeine 16 mg
  • Protein 3 g
  • Fat 3g

Chufa

Chufa horchata has 207 calories per one 8 Oz (250 ml) serving size.

It is composed of water, sugar, chufa, and cinnamon. 

Here are complete chufa horchata nutrition facts:

  • Calories: 207 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Sugar: 46 g
  • Fat: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Sodium: 13 mg

History of Horchata

The history of horchata is a long one. 

history of horchata

The original version of horchata de chufa was created in North Africa around 2400 BC, and it spread to the rest of Europe during Roman times under the name “hordeata.”

Back then people drank barley water on hot days to lower their body temperature, and also gave it to babies who were crying.

In the 8th century, Moors brought horchata to West Africa and Spain. 

As it spread through Spain, France, and England during this period of exploration by Western Europeans—and as these cultures made their own culinary contributions including milk over tea drinking. 

Horchata continued to be enjoyed for its refreshing quality but also for its perceived health benefits.

The concept of horchata traveled from Spain to Mexico during the period of colonization. 

The Spanish colonists brought the tradition of horchata to Mexico where it became popular among the indigenous peoples of the region. 

It was there that the drink became a popular beverage in both its original and modern forms. 

It’s also important to note that although the word “horchata” is in Spanish, it has been adopted into many other languages including English.

FAQ’s

Check here you may find answers to the most common questions people ask about horchata.

Is drinking horchata healthy?

Horchata is extremely healthy, with a full serving of dietary fiber and quite a bit of potassium. It’s also low in calories and saturated fat, which means that it’s perfect for people who are watching their weight or who have high blood pressure.

Is horchata a Mexican or Spain?

Horchata is a popular drink in Mexico, where it’s made from rice, almonds, and sugar. The drink originated in Spain and was brought over to Latin America by Spanish colonists.

What is the difference between the Spanish horchata and the Mexican one?

Spanish horchata is made with tiger nuts, whereas Mexican horchata is made with rice.

Does horchata have raw rice?

Horchata is traditionally made by soaking and grinding raw long-grain white rice.

Does horchata have nuts?

The thing about horchata is that it’s hard to make it perfectly nut-free. The nuts you see floating around in the drink are usually tiger nuts, but sometimes they can be made with almonds or another type of nut.

What does horchata taste like?

The taste of horchata is typically described as “smooth,” “creamy,” and “cinnamon.” In fact, the drink is sometimes called “Mexican eggnog” because of its sweet, nutty flavor that resembles eggs.

Does horchata have alcohol?

Some people like to add alcohol to their horchata, but this is not traditional.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is no straight answer to who invented horchata. 

All we know is that horchata has been around for thousands of years and its origins come from dozens of different cultures.

Though it is difficult to pinpoint exactly who made the first horchata, written records from 2400 BC indicate that it was a popular drink in ancient Egypt. 

The ancient Egyptians drank horchata with their meals and it was considered a delicacy, as well as a refreshing beverage