Aguapanela (Panela Water)
Aguapanela is unrefined cane sugar dissolved in water: two ingredients and fifteen minutes. It is the everyday drink of Colombia, taken hot at breakfast, cold with lime in the heat, or hot with a piece of fresh cheese dropped into the cup. Makes eight servings.
Servings: 8
Calories: 101kcal
Ingredients
- ½ pound panela about 225 g; unrefined cane sugar, sold as panela or piloncillo in US Latin stores
- Water, enough to cover about 8 cups / 1.9 liters for this much panela, but adjust to taste
Instructions
- Break the panela into pieces and put it in a pot with the water. Smaller pieces dissolve much faster.
- Set it over medium heat for about 15 minutes, until it comes to a boil and the panela has completely dissolved, with no grains left at the bottom.
- Serve hot, or let it cool and serve over ice with lime.
Notes
The proportion is a starting point, not a rule: Colombians adjust it by taste. If it comes out too weak, add more panela; too sweet, add water. Either way, return it to the heat until it dissolves again. For guandolo, dissolve the panela in cold water instead and add lime juice.
Nutrition
Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Sodium: 1mg | Sugar: 24g | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg