Oaxaca is preparing for one of its most important festivals: the Tejate Fair, one of the most authentic gastronomic experiences in the world.
Tejate is emblematic of the state, considered an ancestral beverage, and its fair is held annually, usually between March and April.
In 2026, the Tejate Fair will take place on March 29th in the town of San Andrés Hayápam.
This year’s gastronomic event, in its 24th edition, will feature more than 88 producers of this iconic drink.
Also called the “drink of the gods,” tejate is a globally recognized culinary heritage. It is believed to have been Moctezuma’s favorite beverage.
It is made with roasted cacao, mamey seeds, cacao flowers, and ground nixtamalized corn. It is an energizing drink with a high mineral content; its composition makes it rich in antioxidants.
The word tejate comes from the Nahuatl words “tetxtli” (dough) and “atl” (water), meaning flour-based water.
Tejate is a frothy mixture made from corn, with added toasted grains such as cacao flower, mamey seeds, cocoyul fruit, and walnuts (although each Oaxacan cook has their own individual recipe). These are the basic ingredients generally used in its preparation. The ingredients are ground by hand using a metate (a traditional grinding stone).
To prepare it, the artisans beat the mixture for about half an hour, gradually adding cold water until they reach the desired consistency. The original drink is plain; however, nowadays, younger generations add flavors and sugar, and it can be enjoyed in various flavors: cacao, coconut, or walnut.
In addition to the emblematic beverage, Oaxacan women have transformed tejate into a gastronomic masterpiece, creating desserts derived from its flavor, such as cookies, cakes, pies, and tamales.
Source: oaxaca.eluniversal
