View source for Pinolillo

{{Short description|Nicaraguan corn and cacao beverage}}
{{Infobox beverage
| name         = Pinolillo
| image        = [[File:Pinolillo 2.jpg|250px]]
| caption      = 
| type         = Chocolate beverage
| origin       = [[Nicaragua]]
| introduced   = 
| discontinued = 
| colour       = 
| flavour      = 
| ingredients  = [[Cornmeal]], [[Cocoa solids|cacao]]
| variants     = 
| related      = 
| website      =
}}
[[File:Pinolillo.jpg|thumb|Pinolillo in powder form]]
'''Pinolillo''' is a sweet [[cornmeal]] and [[Cocoa solids|cacao]]-based traditional drink in [[Nicaragua]]. It is made of ground toasted corn and a small amount of cacao. It can be mixed with water or soy milk, and served sweetened or unsweetened. If unsweetened, it is rather bitter. The drink usually has a rough, gritty texture.

The name comes from [[pinole]], a toasted and ground form of [[maize]] that is its main ingredient.

It is traditionally served out of a gourd made of the shell of the [[crescentia alata|jicaro]] fruit. Decorative gourds are also made for purchase by tourists as souvenirs; such decorations are rarely found in the homes of native Nicaraguans.

==Pinolillo and Nicaraguan culture==
Consumption of pinolillo is so widespread and traditional that the substance has become one of many symbols of Nicaraguan culture. Nicaraguans often refer to themselves as "[[Pinolero|Pinoleros]]", either jokingly or with pride. The patriotic phrase ''"''{{Lang|es|Soy puro Pinolero, ¡Nicaragüense por gracia de Dios!}}''"'' (''I'm a pure Pinolero, Nicaraguan by the grace of God!'') has been frequently used by Nicaraguans. The phrase comes from the patriotic song ''Nicaragua Mía'' by [[Tino López Guerra]], which has been covered several times. The popular saying is often used by the Nicaraguan president, in his speeches.<ref>[http://www.bolpress.com/art.php?Cod=2006110506 Bolpress:: "Queremos trabajo, queremos paz, queremos reconciliación"]</ref>{{clear}}

==See also==
{{portal|Drink}}
* [[List of maize dishes]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Chocolate beverages}}
{{corn}}
[[Category:Chocolate drinks]]
[[Category:Nicaraguan cuisine]]
[[Category:Costa Rican cuisine]]
[[Category:Mesoamerican cuisine]]
[[Category:Maize-based drinks]]


{{Nicaragua-cuisine-stub}}
{{nonalcoholic-drink-stub}}