Charamusca is a common drink from El Salvador. Most drinks are made from milk, fresh juice, or flavored liquids. To gain the best out of the drink, store it in a freezing bag and freeze it.

Charamusca also represents the street soccer games played, and no rules were observed. The name Charamusca is extracted from charamusqueada.

Most homes in Latin America can produce the drinks in their households. Making them takes minimal time afterward; they are hand-packed in plastic bags.

What is Charamusca?

Charamuscas, also known as topogigio, is a drink that is produced from milk or fruits and then stored in 500ml plastic carriers.

Charamusca is commonly categorized among the most affordable street foods in different countries. Charamuscas are available in a wide range of colors and flavors.

Where did they originate from?

The origin of Charamusca remains unknown until today. However, their emergence was discovered in the Spanish colony’s second half, around 1521 to 1810. Charamuscas appeared after the first sugar producers arrived in El Salvador.

The process of making Charamuscas was marking Guanajuato’s tradition. Charamuscas rose to fame after most families depended on making them and supporting them financially from the sales.

Their availability in most streets has raised some concerns regarding consumption as most do not comply with sanitation regulations and hygiene of human safety.

There are different variations of Charamuscas globally. In Latin America, the drink is mixed with iced milk, fresh juice and water. In Mexico, the drink is known as ‘cubitos’. It mostly comes in a longer shape than the others and is made of milk, vanilla, and chocolate flavors and some instances, eggnog.

In Colombia, the drink is commonly known as ‘Vikingos’ and is mostly made of coconut, sapote and corozo flavors. They are mostly found in the streets to maintain their coolness and are stored in Styrofoam boxes.

The most common flavors in Chile are strawberries, bananas, and vanilla. In Peru, the drink is commonly known as ‘chupps’.  There are two varieties of drinks. One is based on water, and the other one is on milk. The water-based drink is known as ‘citricos’, and one based on milk is known as ‘cremoos’.

In Spain, the drink is known as ‘flash’. In other parts of America, the drink is known as Bolis, Raspaito and Duros.

Charamusca - Traditional Salvadoran Recipe

Charamusca is a common drink from El Salvador. Most drinks are made from milk, fresh juice, or flavored liquids. To gain the best out of the drink, store it in a freezing bag and freeze it. Below is the recipe for Mango Charamusca.

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Prep Time 15 mins

Total Time 15 mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine Latin American, Salvadoran

Servings 12 charamuscas

Calories 10 kcal

Equipment

• A blender

Ingredients

  

For mango charamuscas:

• 1 ripe mango slice it into pieces
• 2 cups water
• ⅔ cup caster sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 12 Freezing bags approximately 8 X 25 cm/3 X 10 inches

For filling:

• 1 cup roasted peanuts slightly salted
• 1 cup shredded and unsweetened coconut

Instructions

 

• Add all the ingredients to the blender and mix them for 2 minutes.
• Distribute the various charamuscas in the bags provided for this purpose.
• Close them and place them in the freezer for 24 hours before tasting them.

Keyword charamuscas, chupps, citricos, cremoos, cubitos, vikingos

There are several flavors; thus, there are several ingredients available.

1. Coconut Charamusca

• A coconut and ensure its water is still available.
• 2 cups of milk
• 1/2 cups of caster sugar
• 1 spoon of vanilla extract
• Bags. Ensure that the freezer bags are around 3 X 10 inches

2. Banana Charamusca

• 2 bananas
• 2 cups of water
• � cup of caster sugar
• 1 spoon of vanilla extract
• Freezing bags approximately 8 X 25 cm/3 X 10 inches

3. Strawberry Charamusca

• 8 oz. of strawberry
• 2 cups of water
• 2/3 cups of caster sugar
• 1 spoon of vanilla extract
• Freezing bags approximately 8 X 25 cm/3 X 10 inches

4. Peanut and coconut charamusca

• 1 cup of honey
• 1/4 cups of water
• 1 tablespoon of baking soda
• 1 and 1/2 cups of caster sugar

How to prepare Charamusca

1. Coconut Charamusca

Break the coconut into the piece and get the inner flesh. Put the liquid in a cup.

Add water to the flesh. Add all ingredients to the blender and mix for over 2 minutes.

Distribute the various charamuscas in the bags provided for this purpose, close them and place them in the freezer for 24 hours before tasting them.

2. Banana charamusca

Peel the bananas, add them with the ingredients to the blender, and mix them for 2 minutes.

3. Strawberry Charamusca

Add the ingredients to the blender and mix them for approximately 2 minutes.

4. Peanut and coconut Charamusca

Put the coconut and peanuts in the food processor and let them blend for around one minute. Ensure that they are ground finely.

Refrain from blending for too long to prevent the mixture from becoming a paste. Add it to a bowl and keep it aside.

Put honey, sugar, and water in a clean pot. Boil the mixture, then after a while, reduce the heat. On the lower side of the pan, add some wet pastry on the sides to prevent crystallization.

Cook the mixture to 300 degrees, take it from the heat, add some baking soda to the hot syrup, and mix to ensure the baking soda is cooked.

Add the mixture to a plain pan and cool for approximately one minute. Afterward, the mixture remains hot. However, it is tangible. Get some part of the mixture and spread it to 3 inches.

Add peanut and coconut to the sugar-honey mixture and start making some Charamusca twist. The mixture can produce over 25 Charamuscas. Fasten the process to prevent the candy from cracking.

Tips and Tricks for Charamuscas

Use freezing bags to store the drink and store it in a cold, dry place. Ensure that the storage area is airtight for it to last for a while.

Nutrition Information of Charamuscas

One plastic bag of Charamusca contains:

• Starch 2 g
• Calcium 1.2g
• Iron 1.5 g

Conclusion

Charamusca drink is a common drink from El Salvador. It has various flavors, such as mango, strawberry, and bananas. The drink is stored in plastic bags and frozen to gain the best part of it. The drink has different names in different countries. Charamusca is commonly sold in the streets, and on sunny days the consumption rate is higher as they are frozen.

Charamusca has easy preparation methods, and most stores’ ingredients are easily available.

Nevertheless, the drink raises some health concerns as it is sold on the streets and does not meet sanitary health requirements. You can prepare it at home for the kids’ birthday. Ensure to have plastic bags for storage and freeze them for the best outcome.