Pinol: This Hot, Spicy Drink Of Ecuador Is A Perfect Winter Drink, Here's Why

Rewarding yourself to a soothing cup of a hot drink is one of the best ways to embrace the winter season within the comfort of your home. As we can never run out on hot winter beverages, we have hunted down another one for you. Get ready to feel cozy, comfy and all warmed up with a cup of Pinol. Pinol is a traditional hot beverage of Ecuador that has been around since centuries.

It is a hearty drink made essentially from toasted barley flour and panela which is mixed up with spices and warm milk. Panela is an unrefined whole cane sugar typical of Central and Latin America. The Indian version of Panela is gur/jaggery. Although usually milk is used while putting together this drink, some recipes also call out for the use of soymilk, water or any fruit juice.

The invention of pinol is attributed to a man, Rafael Emilio Madrid. He created this drink after he was profoundly inspired by watching a group of labourers sucking on several pieces of panela. After observing this, he decided to grind panela and infuse it with some aromatic spices. It was in the mid-19th century when Madri’s family factory originally used a millstone to manufacture its mix. While the drink was developed during the 19th century, most people believe it originated in the 20th century instead because of its wide acclaim that came about after a century. It took time for the drink to spread around the globe and earn a name for its zesty flavours and divine aroma. Today, pinol is counted in the list of world's best hot beverages. Here are the steps for making it at home if you wish to give it a try.

Ingredients-

• 4-5 big pieces of gur
• Half cup barley flour
• 3-4 cloves
• A tablespoon of cinnamon powder
• Half tablespoon ginger
• 2 cup milk

Method for preparation-

• Take a pan and toast barley flour in it for a few minutes. Meanwhile, grind pieces of jaggery.
• After this, take another pan to boil milk. Mix it with jaggery and all the spices.
• Now take a glass and finally add all the ingredients into it one by one.