Colombians have good reason to be in love with the outstanding fruit in their country. The variety itself is mindblowing. Combine that with year-round availability and cheap prices, and you’ll see why people go crazy about fruit in Colombia.
Given the cold climate in Bogota, it’s not surprising that they consume these fruits in a unique kind of hot drink called aromática.
What is aromática?
Colombian fruit aromática is an extension of the Colombian love affair with fruit. There are many kinds of aromáticas. The drink lends itself to creative mixes, and every bakery and restaurant creates a different experience.
A mix of red berries makes a red aromática. For a green aromática, the cup can be filled with mint, lemon verbena, lemongrass, basil and even chives. A yellow one could have maracuyá or granadilla with perhaps some green herbs and apples.
How to make or order an aromática
Making aromática is simple. Steep fresh fruit, leaves, or herbs in hot water until they release their aroma and flavor, then add sugar or panela (raw cane sugar) and stir.
Typically the fruit for an aromática is cut and prepared fresh for each drink, placed in the bottom of a cup, and then hot water is poured over it.
After a few minutes of steeping it will be ready to drink. The steeped fruit can be eaten, sipped around, or removed before drinking.
Aromáticas are made at home, at work, are served in restaurants, and can be found at every bakery and coffee shop.
An aromática can even be bought from vendors on the street. The refreshing smells of cidrón (a type of lemon verbena) and limonaria (Colombian lemongrass) fill the street in the morning and late evening when the herbs are steeped in large industrial-size pots heated over a gas burner.
My favorite type of Colombian fruit aromática
The best aromáticas I’ve had are the ones where I create the mix myself. For instance, one of my favorite places to order an aromática in Bogota is at La Florida bakery downtown.
There, they serve me a pot of hot water, a teacup, and six small ramekins. Each ramekin holds a different herb or fruit. I combine the basil, mint, berries, cooked citrus peel, and passion fruit as I want, and enjoy the taste of Bogota.
If you’re not in Bogota and want to try this low-calorie treat at home, I recommend this aromática recipe from My Colombian Cocina.
Learn more about Colombian fruits
The fascinating world of Colombian coffee
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- What makes Colombian coffee so good?
- Is coffee important to Colombians?
- How do Colombians drink coffee?
- Where can I drink the best Colombian coffee?
- Where is Colombian coffee grown around the country?
- How can you learn to taste coffee like a professional?
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