Horchata

Horchata (/ɔːrˈtʃɑːtə/; Spanish: [orˈtʃata]), or orxata (Catalan pronunciation: [oɾˈʃata]), is the name of several kinds of traditional beverages, made of ground almonds, sesame seeds, rice, barley, or tigernuts (chufas).

Etymology

The name derives from Valencian orxata, probably from ordiata, made from ordi (barley) (Latin *hordeata < hordeum). The Italian orzata, the French and English 'orgeat' and the Surinamese Dutch orgeade have the same origin, though the beverages themselves have diverged, and are generally no longer made from barley.

Various false etymologies exist – one legend links the origins of the name to James I of Aragon, who after being given the drink for the first time by a local in Alboraya, was said to have exclaimed in Valencian "Açò és or, xata!" ("That's gold, darling!")

Spain

In Spain, it usually refers to orchata de chufa (horchata de chufa), made from tigernuts, water, and sugar.

Originally from Valencia, the idea of making horchata from yellow nutsedge (tigernuts) comes from the period of Muslim presence in Valencia (from the eighth to 13th centuries).

Horchata (song)

"Horchata" is a song by American indie rock band Vampire Weekend. Written by the members of the band and produced by band member Rostam Batmanglij, the song was released as the lead single from their second album Contra on October 5, 2009 via XL Recordings. The single was initially released as a free download on the band's web site. The term "horchata" refers to a traditional beverage often made of ground almonds, sesame seeds, or rice.

Commercial performance

"Horchata" peaked at #10 on the Billboard Heatseekers Songs chart and at #2 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. It also peaked at #69 on the Canadian Hot 100 and #26 on the Belgium Ultratop 50 in Flanders.

Other appearances

"Horchata" was featured on the Hollister Co. Christmas 2013 playlist.

Charts

References