Peruvian Emoliente: Warm Barley, Flaxseed and Herb Tonic with Lime and Honey

Toast the barley in a dry saucepan over medium heat, shaking often, for 4 to 5 minutes until it smells nutty and turns light golden. This gives the drink its deep flavor and color.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup pearl barley, toasted in a dry pan until golden
• 2 tablespoons whole flaxseeds
• 2 tablespoons dried horsetail (cola de caballo) or 1 tablespoon dried chamomile
• 1 tablespoon dried boldo or lemon verbena leaves (optional)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 small piece dried alfalfa or a handful of fresh mint
• 6 cups water
• 3 tablespoons honey, or to taste
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel (optional, traditional)
• Lime wedges, to serve

Instructions

1. Toast the barley in a dry saucepan over medium heat, shaking often, for 4 to 5 minutes until it smells nutty and turns light golden. This gives the drink its deep flavor and color.
2. Add the water, flaxseeds, horsetail or chamomile, boldo or lemon verbena, cinnamon stick and alfalfa or mint to the pan. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. The flaxseeds will release their gel and the liquid will become slightly thick and silky, which is the signature texture of emoliente.
4. Strain through a fine sieve into a jug, pressing on the solids to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids.
5. Stir in the honey while the drink is hot so it dissolves, then add the lime juice and aloe vera gel if using. Taste and adjust: it should be gently sweet, tart and herbal.
6. Pour into mugs or heatproof glasses and serve steaming hot with a lime wedge on the side. It can also be chilled and served over ice.
7. Leftovers keep in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat gently and whisk, as the flax gel thickens when cold.
8. Emoliente is Peru's beloved street-corner tonic, ladled from the steaming glass jars of emolienteros who set up on Lima sidewalks before dawn and again at dusk. Each vendor has a secret mix of toasted barley, flax, horsetail and Andean herbs, finished to order with a squeeze of lime and a spoon of honey or aloe. Peruvians swear by it to soothe the stomach, warm the chest and ward off chills, and on a cold, foggy autumn evening a hot cup of this slightly silky herbal drink is the most comforting thing you can hold in two hands.

Nutrition (estimated, per serving)

• Calories: 90 kcal
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 13g
• Sodium: 10mg