Aguapanela
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aguapanela or agua de panela is a drink native to southern Central America and northern South America. It literally means "sugar water" as it is made from hardened raw sugar from the cane. It is fairly common in Colombia, causing this country to have the highest index of panela consumption per capita.[1]
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[edit] Preparation
In some regions aguapanela is made by placing a large block of panela, in a large container of water and stirring it until the block is entirely dissolved. In other regions, the block is dissolved in the water by boiling the mixture for a short time, resulting in a very different drink which may be served hot or cold. It is often added with lemon or lime. In the hot version, sometimes milk or a chunk of cheese are added instead of lime juice.
[edit] Uses
The aguadepanela is the traditional drink served with many dishes of the colombian cuisine, specially in the paisa region, such as the bandeja paisa and the sancocho soup, and it is often served alone as a thirst quencher.
Many claims have been made about the beneficial medicinal effects of panela because it has more Vitamin C than a glass of orange juice and as many rehydrating minerals as a bottle of Gatorade. It is thought to be helpful in treating a cold.
[edit] Socioeconomic issues
Since the panela is a relative cheap product, locally produced, most of the poor people in Colombia, especially the peasants, obtain the majority of their caloric intake from the aguadepanela. In many cases, the aguadepanela and small amounts of rice and plantain are the only things available, due to the scarcity and high prices of the food products rich in proteins, such as meat and milk. This phenomenon causes in the child population a high rate of kwashiorkor type malnutrition. The Colombian government tries to paliate this situation giving soy-derivated flour to the poor families as a source of protein.[2][3]
