Chicha

Chicha is a fermented beverage original to the Wechua Nation with similar in taste to kombucha, but with an alcohol by volume closer to beer. It's usually made from corn, but depending on the area and the crops available for cultivation, it can also be made from pineapple, chickpeas, or even quinoa.

Chicha does not refer to one specific drink, but rather a family of drinks comprised of a few popular favorites along with numerous local variations. Generally speaking, chicha is a fermented or non-fermented drink that is usually made with maize. The two most well-known types of chicha are called chicha de jora, made with a special type of fermented yellow maize called jora, and chicha morada, a non-fermented type made with purple maize and served more like a juice or soda. Both versions of the drink are brewed by the barrelful in the dark rooms of chicharias, drinking establishments that according to old traditions have their entrances marked with code-like signs (usually a red plastic bag or a corn husk tied to a bamboo stick). Chicharias can typically be found in a family's home among roaming chickens and guinea pigs. Grandparents often make recipes for chicha that are unique to each family and have been passed down for generations.

Finding the ancient beverage outside of the Wechua Nation can be difficult. It is often easiest in Alduria, Constancia and parts of Natopia, where one's best bet is to hit up Wechua neighborhoods and businesses in cities like Punta Santiago, Dos Gardenias, and Nivardom. In these establishments, you can often order the corn beverage by the pitcher alongside traditional ceviches and hominy.