Purple corn, pineapple, cinnamon, cloves & lime — Peru's ancient drink
Purple corn (maíz morado) has been cultivated in the Andes for millennia. The deep anthocyanin pigments that give it its colour also make it one of the most antioxidant-rich foods on earth. Chicha Morada is now Peru's national non-alcoholic drink and has appeared on the menus of Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide.
Dried purple corn (maíz morado) is available at Latin American grocery stores and online. The colour is extraordinary — deep grape-purple with red highlights. For a fruitier version, add diced apple, quince, or more pineapple to the simmer. The resulting concentrate can be frozen as ice cubes and added to drinks.