Tekuoj

Tekuoj, also known as Tecojo or Xocoatl, refers to a traditional Mexican beverage made primarily from cacao. The word itself is derived from the Nahuatl language, spoken by the Aztecs. Historically, tekuoj was a significant drink, often consumed by the elite and during religious ceremonies. It was not typically sweetened with sugar as it is in modern times, but rather flavored with spices such as chili peppers, vanilla, and annatto.

The preparation of authentic tekuoj involves grinding roasted cacao beans into a paste, which is then mixed with water or sometimes corn masa. This mixture is vigorously frothed, often by pouring it back and forth between vessels or by using a wooden whisk called a molinillo. The resulting drink is thick, bitter, and aromatic, quite different from the sweet hot chocolate commonly enjoyed today.

In contemporary Mexico, while the original form of tekuoj is less common, its legacy persists in various chocolate-based beverages and traditions. Some artisanal producers and communities continue to prepare tekuoj in its more traditional, unsweetened, and spiced form, preserving a taste of pre-Hispanic culinary heritage. The beverage represents an important cultural link to the historical significance of cacao in Mesoamerican civilizations.