How to Make Chicha Venezolana at Home
Making chicha at home is simpler than ever, thanks to modern techniques that eliminate the need for soaking and grinding rice for days. Traditionally, preparing chicha involved labor-intensive steps such as soaking raw rice overnight and grinding it manually, which made the process both time-consuming and physically demanding. Here’s a step-by-step recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 cup white rice
- 5 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Pinch of salt
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup condensed milk plus extra for garnishing
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- Crushed ice
- Cinnamon powder for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Rice:
- Rinse the rice until the water runs clear.
- In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, cinnamon stick, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes until the rice is very soft.
Cool the Mixture:
- Remove the cinnamon stick and let the rice mixture cool.
Blend:
- Blend the rice mixture with whole milk, condensed milk, and vanilla essence until smooth. Work in batches if needed.
Serve:
- Pour the blended mixture into glasses over crushed ice. Garnish with a drizzle of condensed milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon powder.