This post is also available in Spanish
This is a traditional cold drink from the department of El Valle del Cauca, located in the pacific region of Colombia. Champús is a very refreshing drink served with a lot of ice, made with dried corn, pineapple, panela, mashed lulo, cinnamon, cloves and orange tree leaves. I didn’t find the orange tree leaves, so I used orange zest instead for this recipe.
Street vendors with their carts are on virtually every corner in El Valle del Cauca selling this refreshing drink, but you’ll also find it served in restaurants as well. Champús is the perfect drink for warm summer days although it’s practically a snack by itself. I Hope you like it as much as I do.
Buen provecho!
Ingredients
- 2 cups of dried corn
- 1/2 pound panela
- 7 lulos, peeled and mashed
- 1 pineapple peeled and chopped
- 4 leaves of orange or 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 5 whole cloves
Directions
- Soak the dried corn overnight.
- Rinse it well and place it a large pot with the water and cook over medium heat until the corn is soft, about 2 to 3 hours, stir occasionally, while adding more water if needed.
- When tender, remove a cup of corn, grind and then return it in the same water. Apart prepare a melao with 1 cup of water, panela, the orange leaves, cloves and cinnamon.
- Add the melado, the mashed lulos and pineapple. Stir everything well, let cool and add ice. Add more water and sugar if necessary.
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Alan Bowman says
Here in Spain, orange tree leaves? no problem but where on earth can I get Lulo?
Consuelo says
Yo encargo el lulo en polvo, marca Tang. Tambien puedes usar kiwis.
Carlos says
You can get lulos (naranjillas) on Amazon. The brand is called “La Fe.”
Mark says
Cali!!! LOL
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
What an interesting drink! I have never had a drink with corn…now I am seriously intrigued!
Linda Collazos says
My husband is Caleño, and when we are in Cali, I always insist on having some champus. It is delicious, refreshing, and good nourishment.
Jorge says
Hi Erika, thanks for this very interesting recipe, have a question, what kind of corn do you use?
Also I see you are getting more into photographing your recipes, perhaps one of such photos should include a shot with all the ingredients. I always find this system helpful particularly when using ingredients I am not familiar with.
Thanks,
Erica Dinho says
cracked corn or dried cracked white hominy corn
sara says
could it be just the can of hominy corn rinsed?
Erica Dinho says
Yes.
ela@GrayApron says
What a beautiful and exotic drink! Energizing too!
🙂 ela
Tom McManus says
Erica — In the States, have you been able to find Lulu or are you using persimmon instead?
Erica Dinho says
Hi Tom, I found frozen lulos at my local market.
Consuelo says
Yo encargo el lulo en polvo, marca Tang de Colombia. Tambien puedes usar kiwis. O tambien venden la pulpa de lulo congelada marca Goya in The States.
grace says
i wouldn’t have expected corn in this–excellent and tasty addition!
Platanos Mangoes and Me says
You always make the best drinks.
jessica says
what is a melao and a lulo?
Erica Dinho says
Lulo is a Colombian fruit and Melao is a sweet sauce made with “panela”.
Stephanie Parra says
Hola!
Soy caleña ando con unos antojos horribles por champus, pero no se donde puedo conseguir las hojas de naranjo 🙁 estuve buscando y me salen cosas como bitter orange etc but not sure.. Please help!
Anonymous says
En los supermercados hispanos las consigues
Pamela says
Hola Erica,
I’ve only seen the frozen lulo pulp. How much do I need to measure in cups to add to the champus? I also want to take this opportunity to thank you for posting all of these great recipes, I feel like I can cook now. LOL OXOXOX
Thank you!