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    Guarapo de Jagua (Genipa Fermented Drink)

    Guarapo de jagua (genipa fermented drink) recipe.

    En Español Recipe ↆ

    Guarapo de Jagua is a fermented beverage, one of the most refreshing traditional Dominican drinks, and a great alternative to soft drinks. Let me teach you how to make this little-known treasure of our traditional Dominican cuisine.

    Guarapo de jagua (genipa juice).
    Guarapo de jagua (genipa juice).

    JUMP TO: show ↓
    1. Why we ❤️ it
    2. What is guarapo?
    3. What is jagua or genipa?
    4. Properties of genipa (jagua)
    5. Shelf life
    6. About this recipe
    7. Recipe

    Why we ❤️ it

    Guarapo de Jagua is one of those “obscure Dominican gastronomic secrets” that we mention so much in our blog. One of those recipes that sometimes we ask ourselves why even bother writing it. But those are actually our favorite to write about, after all, you come here to learn with us.

    We love this fermented Dominican drink because this is one of the most refreshing drinks that our cuisine has to offer, and it is a great summer alternative to soft drinks. It's also a vegan recipe.

    But first, let's talk about these two unusual words.

    What is guarapo?

    Guarapo is sugarcane juice, or the fermented juice obtained from it (1). In the Dom. Rep., Guarapo is also used to describe some fermented fruit juices.

    The most common is Pineapple Guarapo, which is made with the rind and core of this fruit. The second most common is this guarapo de jagua.

    What is jagua or genipa?

    Genipa americana, or jagua, as we Dominicans call it (2), is a fruit-bearing tree native to the American continent. Also known as genipa, marmalade box, genipapo, and huito.

    Its fruit is used to make ice cream, marmalade, and in the Dominican Republic, to make a fermented drink.

    Genipa americana (jagua) fruit.
    2 glasses of jagua juice.

    Jagua or genipa and guarapo de jagua.

    Properties of genipa (jagua)

    The genipa fruit has astringent, anti-inflammatory, and anti-anemic properties. This fruit is also a natural source of iron, riboflavin, and antibacterial substances (3).

    Shelf life

    This drink is made with light fermentation, just enough to make it slightly bubbly, however, it doesn't have a long shelf life, even refrigerated. I wouldn't feel safe drinking it after a week.

    About this recipe

    There is not much to say about this recipe, it is super simple, and requires very few ingredients. I have simply followed the steps I saw my mother follow when she was making this guarapo (which she did frequently).

    If you know of another way to prepare this drink, we would love to hear it.

    Check out our other Dominican fermented drinks recipes, you'll surely love them.

    Salud!

    Tia Clara

    Recipe

    This awesome free recipe contains Amazon affiliate links, we receive a small commission from any purchase you make at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

    Keep screen on while cooking

    Guarapo de Jagua (Genipa Fermented Drink)

    By: Clara Gonzalez
    Guarapo de Jagua is a fermented beverage, and one of the most refreshing traditional Dominican drinks, and a great alternative to soft drinks.
    5 from 1 vote
    Save for Later Send by Email Print Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Resting time 5 days d
    Total Time 5 days d 10 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Dominican
    Servings 4
    Calories 129 kcal

    Ingredients

    • 4 jaguas, genipas
    • 1 quart potable water, 1 liter
    • 1 cup sugar (white, granulated), or sweetener of your choice
    • 2 cup ice

    Instructions
     

    • Wash the jaguas, then cut into small pieces. Place in a container with a lid with a capacity of 2.5 liters (1 gallon). Add the water.
      Cover with a piece of cloth or a clean kitchen towel (no lid).
    • Leave it on the kitchen counter for 24 hours, in a place where it's not cold, and there isn't too much light.
    • After 24 hours have passed, remove the cloth, and close with the lid. Move to the fridge for the next 4 days. By then tiny bubbles should have formed in the liquid.
    • Strain and add sugar to taste. Serve with ice.
    • You can reuse the jagua by refilling again and letting it rest in the fridge for 5 more days. It's good just for one more time, after that, throw them away.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 129kcalCarbohydrates: 33gSugar: 33g

    Nutritional information is calculated automatically based on ingredients listed. Please consult your doctor if you need precise nutrition information.

    READERS SEARCHED FOR genipa juice, huito juice, jagua juice, natural fermented juice
    More recipes with: fruits

    References

    1. Real Academia de la Lengua Española (RAE)
    2. Catálogo virtual de la flora, Universidad EIA
    3. Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (Mex.)
    4. Fermenting for Foodies - Shelf Life of Fermented Foods

    By Tia Clara - Published August 11, 2019, revised Apr 26, 2023

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    • Dominican coffee.
      How to Make the Perfect Dominican Coffee (Colador and Greca Coffee)

    ¡Hola! I am Tía Clara, your host. Thanks for visiting.
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