Costa Rica has so much more to offer than its splendid beaches, waterfalls, and endless greenery. Home to incredibly vast biodiversity, the country uses its unique plants and fruits to create mouthwatering beverages. While there, you simply must try some of its traditional drinks which you can’t find anywhere else in the world.
1. Agua Dulce — the Traditional Breakfast Drink in Costa Rica
Made from hardened sugar cane extract (in the picture above), agua dulce is a traditional breakfast drink in Costa Rica. It is a hot beverage made by heating milk or boiling water and adding tapa de dulce for sweetness. The extract is typically found in a cup-shaped mold which locals use for hardening the liquid sugar syrup.
2. Resbaladera — From the Northern Parts of Costa Rica
Although Costa Rica is famous for its flavorful coffee, there’s much more to its iconic list of beverages than you might think. The so-called Resbaladera is a unique creamy drink made with barley, sugar, rice, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, milk, water, and nutmeg. It takes a few steps to prepare, but the result is more than worth it. If you’re there, you can just order it in the nearest café. You won’t regret it.
3. Jugo de tamarindo — a Must-Try
Served chilled, this refreshing drink is made from tamarind, a tree that produces sweet-sour bean-like fruits. When the fruits are ripe, the juice from them has a paste-like consistency that is squeezed from the pods, boiled in sugar and water, and then put through a strainer to remove the fibers and seeds. The juice is then chilled and served. It’s incredibly rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that are believed to help prevent heart disease and even cancer.
Other popular drinks in Costa Rica include Chan, Batidos, and Chili guaro. Many of these beverages have a local spin on the original recipe based on the region you’re visiting.
3 Different Ways To Make Homemade Fries
Everyone loves homemade fries, right? There’s just something so much better about making your own fries at home, as opposed to buying them from a fast food place. Did you know, however, that there are so many different ways to make them? Here are just three of the best ways to make your favorite side dish.
Baked Fries
This is probably the most classic way to make homemade fries – and it doesn’t take too much time or effort! You’re going to want to cut your fries into whatever size you like, whether that be classic and thin or rustic and chunky. Next, boil them for just a few minutes in some salted water before patting them dry. Now, throw them in the oven to cook until they’re crispy and delicious.
Deep-Fried
If you’re lucky enough to have a deep-fat fryer at home, then you can make your fries just like the fast-food joints! Again, you’ll want to boil them slightly in some salted water before patting them dry to start. Now, just pop them in the basket and let them sizzle away in the oil. The thinner the fries, the less time they’ll need to be cooked.
Non-Potato Fries
Want to mix things up a little? How about making fries out of anything but potato. Some of our favorites include zucchini fries, which are ideal when either baked in the oven or put in the deep-fat fryer. Sweet potato also works really well, and can be finished off with a sprinkling of parmesan. You can also try carrots, pumpkin, parsnips, and just about any other root vegetable you can think of. They’re always delicious!
The next time you think about ordering fries, stop. You can make some of the best homemade fries in a fraction of time and they’re far more delicious than soggy fries from a fast food joint.