Horchata comes from Valencianorxata, probably from ordiata, made from ordi (barley) (from Latin Hordeum).
Horchata and orxata are nowadays the name for several kinds of vegetal beverages.
It can be made of smashed almonds, rice, barley or tiger nuts (chufas).
In Spain, it usually refers to Orxata de xufes (Horchata de Chufas), made from tiger nuts, water and sugar. Originally from Valencia, Spain, it is served very very cold as a refreshment.
It has a regulating council to ensure the quality of the product and the villages where it can come from with the Denomination of Origin. The village of Alboraia is well known for the quality of their "horchatas". The idea of making Horchata from tiger nuts comes from the period of muslim presence in Valencia (from the 8th to 13th century).
In Mexico, it is a rice based beverage in Mexican cuisine.
While the drink is usually white and "milky" it can be made dairy-free
through the use of blanched almonds, though some recipes call for
milk. Other ingredients often include sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla
or lime.
