Colca Sour: An unique Cactus cocktail

giardinotoursperu — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 16:08:27 +0000

Do you know that an enjoyable drink called “Colca Sour” is the Colca Canyon version of the Pisco Sour? Yes right! ? And the big difference is that instead of lime juice the locals use the Sancayo juice.

Sancayo; also called sanky, is “the forgotten fruit of the Incas.” It is an incredibly sour local cactus fruit that was used by the Incas as a hunger suppressant, replenisher, and medicinal aid to reduce problems associated with the gastrointestinal tract.

But today the “colca sour” has become the official drink of Caylloma province! You will have the opportunity to enjoy it on the second day of our excursion to the Colca valley.

Properties make the “Sancayo Cactus (sanky) attractive for every person, especially as its vitamin C levels are 10 times that of oranges.

Preparation of Colca Sour

If you want to know or learn how to prepare this unique drink “Colca Sour”; then you need to learn an easy “formula”: 1+1+3 … That means:

1 ounce fresh squeezed Sancayo juice.
1 ounce simple syrup
3 ounces pisco.

Add also:

1 egg white
Ice cubes

Mix up the pisco, syrup, sancoya juice and egg white.
Add ice and shake well.

An then.…. SALUD!

Description of fruit

Sanky cactus fruit is small to medium in size, averaging 10-12 centimeters in diameter, and is round to oval in shape. The rind is firm, green with some brown markings, and smooth at the surface with many thin, long spines that extend around the entire fruit. Underneath the rind, the juicy pulp is clear to white and contains many small black seeds. Sanky cactus fruit has a mucilaginous, crunchy texture and contains a low amount of sugar creating an acidic, tart, and slightly sour taste.

Seasons/Availability

Sanky cactus fruit is available in the summer through fall.

Current Facts

Sanky cactus fruit, botanically classified as Corryocactus brevistylus, grows on a fast-growing shrub with long stems that can reach over six meters in height and belongs to the Cactaceae family. Also known as Zanki, Quitahambre, Sankay, Lemon cactus fruit, and Guacalla, Sanky cactus fruit grows on the wild Sancayo cactus and can be found along the rocky mountain slopes of the Andes in Peru and Bolivia. Once used by the Incas, Sanky cactus fruit is an ancient fruit that is still consumed today in South America and is favored for fresh eating.

Todays is getting popular as official drink of the Colca valley as “Colca Sour”.

Nutritional Value

Sanky cactus fruit contains vitamin C, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and some electrolytes.

We keep you curious… 🙂

Life is soooo interesting!

Giardino Team!

@GiardinoToursperu

#ItravelwithGiardino #OneTripManyExperiences