FOOD NEWS
Pulque: The Ancient Mesoamerican Beverage Made From Agave
By Ashley Reut
Pulque, a milky white beverage with a distinctive acidic smell, comes from the sap of maguey plants, also known as agave. Originating from the days of the Aztecs in Central Mexico, some consider pulque the grandfather of modern tequila; however, one of the key differences between tequila and pulque is that the latter is fermented.
In Mexico, you can enjoy the unique beverage in bars called pulquerias, and it works on its own or paired with an array of complementary flavors. Although pulque is considered to be an alcoholic drink, it doesn't affect your body the same way a beer would — you can sit and drink pulque practically for hours on end without feeling a buzz.
In the ancient Aztec culture, pulque was considered to be the drink of the gods and was known to have an "eye-opening" and "comforting" effect on the body, according to Serious Eats. Thought to represent the divine blood of the Aztec goddess Mayahuel, the milky white beverage was also used for herbal and medicinal purposes in ancient times.