Tag: Spanish horchata

The caloric content of horchata can range significantly, with some homemade versions containing as few as 100-130 calories per cup, while heavily sweetened or restaurant-style drinks can pack significantly more. The final calorie count depends heavily on preparation method and ingredients.

While many assume horchata is always a sugary-sweet treat, its level of sweetness is highly variable depending on the regional recipe and ingredients used. This leads to the central question: is horchata really sweet?

According to traditional recipes from Valencia, Spain, the answer is a resounding no. Spanish horchata, or *horchata de chufa*, is made from ground tiger nuts, water, and sugar, and contains no ingredients that would give it a natural caffeine boost.

Unlike its Mexican rice-based cousin, traditional Spanish horchata is made from tiger nuts and dates back to ancient Egypt. But is Spanish horchata healthy, or is its sweetness a red flag? This creamy, plant-based drink has more to it than meets the eye.