When we
walked down to the beach on the Rambla del Poblenou we always saw a crowd in
front of a shop that sells ice cream and some stuff that looked like milkshake.
We didn’t really understand what’s the fuss is about as you can get icecream
everywhere and surely people can’t be so excited about milkshakes!
One day when
it was still siesta in most shops I walked down on the Rambla and I noticed
that there was nobody waiting in front of the shop. ‘This is my chance!’ I
thought, and sauntered in trying to look like I know what I’m doing looking at
the menu that was only displayed in Catalan. In a few minutes I gave up and
waited for somebody to tell me what can I chose from.
A very nice
guy came to my rescue and told me that what they sell is not a milkshake but
horchata (orxata in Catalan). I have heard it mentioned before but I never knew
what it is exactly and as I was the only customer the guy was happy to explain
it to me.
Apparently
the origin of the drink comes from Valencia and it is made from tigernuts,
water and sugar. The result is an incredibly refreshing, sweet tasting milky
drink that has only one problem, it finishes too quickly!
Later I took
Paul to the place to try it and he got converted after the first sip! I took
the advice of my intercambio friend, Juan Carlos, and I asked for a ball of
icecream in mine. This time there was a very long queue in front of the shop
and the guy who served me did not speak English. He asked which kind of
icecream I want in it and offered 3 different tastes that I did not understand
so at the end he said he will put in the one he likes the best. It was nutty
flavoured and blended perfectly with the taste of the horchata.
According to
Juan Carlos there are only a few places in Barcelona where you can get a good
horchata and the one on the Rambla del Poblenou is one of the best ones. This
explains the long queues we always see in front of the shop! It is called El Tío
Ché and has been making horchata for over 100 years. You can find it under
Rambla del Poblenue, 44 - 46.
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