Chicha morada is a beverage originated in the Andean regions of Perú but is actually consumed at a national level. The base ingredient of the drink is cornculli or ckolli, which is a Peruvian variety of corn known commonly as purple corn which is abundantly grown and harvested along the Andes Mountains. This beverage serves as the main component of chicha de jora, which also originated in Peru. Its history and consumption was already widespread in pre-Columbian times, prior to the establishment of the Inca Empire. The current preparation can be traced through different works of the nineteenth century as those of Juan de Arona, and Carlos Prince. The oldest references to its preparation as we know it today come from the writings produced in the mid-1870s by the French Camille Pradier-Fodéré.
Traditional preparation consists of boiling the purple corn in water along with pineapple peels and pieces of quince, adding a pinch of cinnamon and a few cloves. Once the substance is boiled, strain and let cool to add sugar, and in some cases, chopped fruit and lemon.
The pre-manufactured product is sold in two ways:
* In packets with a powder content manufactured with a basis of sugar, acidifiers and artificial flavors to which the preparer should only add water. Although its consumption is massive because of the advantages of low cost and sweet taste, they do not achieve the characteristic flavor of a chicha prepared in a traditional way, nor do they contain the antioxidants derived from purple corn.
* Purple chicha concentrate in a bag is also fabricated for large scale distribution. This version contains all the extract of the fruits, retaining flavor and aroma. The preparer should only add water and the lemon juice.
The manufactured product consists of chicha morada elaborated in a large-scale industrialized form that is sold in small cans or bottles of personal or family size, in the style of soft drinks.
A notable Peruvian delicacy can be derived from chicha morada by adding a binder such as chuño or corn starch to the traditional preparation. This porridge-like substance is what Peruvians call "mazamorra morada", to which is added dried or fresh fruits such as prunes and raisins. Its consumption is very widespread in Peru in celebrations together with chicha morada.
Cultural impact
Consumption figures for chicha morada in Peru have even reached that of Coca-Cola. Its sale is prevalent in restaurants, supermarkets and others.
In 2007, the company Alicorp, with its Negrita brand, launched bottled chicha morada, ready for consumption.
The export of purple corn during the year 2008 reached its zenith, in countries with an influx of Peruvian immigrants.
Chicha morada is the representative drink of Peruvian cuisine, because it is refreshing and versatile for pairing. It combines in any occasion of consumption, either individually or as a group and is consumed by young people and adults. In October, the Peruvian 'purple month', chicha morada combines a lot with the famous anticuchos, picarones, turrón de Doña Pepa, among other dishes representative of Peruvian cuisine.
