Horchata

Spanish drinks made from chufa-nut (Cyperus esculentus) tuber extracts, better known as tiger nuts. The milky, sweet drink is served chilled and is naturally free of dairy and gluten, which has broadened its appeal beyond Spain. Because it is a low-acid, nutrient-rich liquid, commercial producers rely on pasteurization or UHT treatment plus an unbroken cold chain to keep it safe from microbial spoilage. Traditional street-vended horchata is highly perishable, so the industrial versions that reach supermarkets depend on current thermal processing to achieve their shelf life.