Origins | Description | Team
Hover over the image to check differences between chicheme in the past and present.
Chicheme comes from the word Chicha. Ferrero, in his book Mil y Tantos Quitismos, says that Chicha comes from the Kuna dialect, which is spoken by the aboriginals of Panama, and it means Chichab (corn). Chichab is a drink that results from the fermentation of the corn in sugary water. Also, Ferrero mentions that Chicheme, in the speech of the Mozarabic, is called chichen, which means cooking or boiling. Nowadays, Chicheme is a drink made of corn, sugar, milk and water.
The corn juice may or may not be fermented. If fermented, it is currently known as chicha fuerte, which means strong juice. To make the chicha fuerte, some native communities let the corn ferment in clay pots similar to the Kunas, which they call it “Inna" and the Gnobes call it Mia. Hence, the origin of the brand of our chicheme is Inna - Mia.
If not fermented, it is known as chicheme. A delicious refreshing, nutritious drink and non-alcoholic, available to all family members.
References:
Ferrero, L. (2002). Mil y tantos tiquismos: (costarricensismos). Costa Rica: Universidad Estatal a Distancia.
MEDIA, Z. (2018, 11 12). The Beer Times™. Retrieved from https://www.thebeertimes.com/chicha-definicion-y-etimologia-de-los-fermentados-originarios-de-america/
The chicha de maiz is not only from Panama. Find out more about it by visiting The Beer Times
Since you know more about the origin of chicheme, now it's your turn to enjoy it. Try it now!
We are a small family from central provinces of Panama. We are passionate about delicious food and sharing traditional Panamanian food with the secret recipe of the family.
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