Another posting about Kikita's adventures in Cuba written by none other than Kikita herself.
The one thing everyone told me before I left was "Don't drink the water!"
No water for a whole week? Well, not exactly. Just before boarding I bought two big bottles of water, but that was definitely not going to be sufficient hydration so I was forced to find other options. Obviously, I drank plenty of café and sometimes it was delicious and other times it wasn't. There was a type of soda called "Tu Kola" that I enjoyed, but I know that soda has salt in it and I was worried about hydration.
Thank goodness it wasn't too hot otherwise I have no idea what I would have done. When we went out to eat I ordered bottled sparkling water. Even so, I needed more.
One morning my cousin asked me if I would like some pineapple juice. I love pineapple juice. I most definitely wanted pineapple juice.
"Sí, gracias."
Next thing I knew, he had picked up a pineapple and was cutting it up.
He put the pineapple pieces in a blender and added the dreaded water along with what looked like a lot of sugar.
Once it was blended, he pushed it through a colander in order to maximize the juice and minimize the pulp.
He eventually put the juice back into the bottle that had once held the water and then began pouring glasses of the juice for breakfast.
It was the most delicious pineapple juice I've ever had in my life. In fact, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to get the same enjoyment from bottled juice again.
Later that day. . . we found a man who was selling "guarapos." (Ok, it was an outdoor bar and he was selling a lot of other things too, but that's not important right now.)
I had already had a "guarapo" with my brother Adam at Cuba Nostalgia a couple of years ago so I knew the taste and couldn't wait to have one. What I didn't know was that I was going to get to participate in the making of the "guarapo."
First the bartender took his machete and scraped off the outer layer of the sugar cane.
Then he inserted it into the juicer . . .
And then it was my turn.
Oh yeah, hand-cranking. My brow started to sweat a bit, but "valio la pena" (it was worth the effort).
Oh, and since rum is also made from sugar cane he may or may not have put some in mine.
Hey, I wasn't drinking the water, just juice. 😉
You know, the coffee had the “dreaded” water as well right? Personally I don’t like guarapo (too sweet) but that Pineapple juice looks outstanding. Abuelo, when he was going to law school – he was so broke as a student in Cuba, and the food at the pension was so bad that he sustained himself with guarapo and leche condensada.
Ok, I could totally get that your cousin is part of the family with the strainer over his head! I love it!Note to self…must try guarapo and rum!
xoxo
Mija just boil the water for a long time then let it cool, should kill whatever “Parasitos” are in it 🙂
Adriana,We figured the water had to at least be heated to a “parasite killing” temp to make decent coffee. =D
Guarapo and leche condensada?? I think you could maybe TRAVEL BACK IN TIME with that combination!!
Besos,
M
Nathan,Ironically, she got sick in MIAMI and not in Cuba. Go figure.
😉
My kitchen looks almost the same way i left it 12 years ago, and so does the colador, and the blender and the merengue mixer on the background it’s funny how things with no value could tell so many stories about your childhood :'( <–tears rolling as i type. Amy are those two small frames in the wall the recipes for my abuela's famous and oh so yummy pie de manzana and pie de limon? I don't know if they are, i haven't been back since she passed, but i can't imagine anything else worth framing in that corner where the pineapple is being cut. Some of my very best moments took place in that corner making such pies since i was always the special helper 🙁
Love it, pineapple juice is a delicious and healthy drink. It contains bromelain, which aids digestion, making it ideal for finishing a meal. Thank you for sharing.