Blogger Clare Tollick of Feast and Glory features Emma Woodward in our series of articles in the lead up to street food, art and music festival Amazing Graze on the 5/6th April at Left Bank in Leeds.
After falling in love with Mexico whilst on her travels, Emma Woodward of Sheffield based Chinampas has worked hard to recreate some of her favourite memories back home in Blighty. And although Mexican food is hugely popular here, it was the humble agua fresca (or fresh water) that particularly impressed Emma. Sold by street vendors these non-alcoholic drinks are served in large portions and are a real hit in the summer months. Often made with fruits, grains and seeds they’re naturally refreshing and are also the perfect accompaniment to any fiery dish.
Here Emma sees her aguas frescas as the perfect alcohol free option for festival goers and they certainly are a healthier option to a lot of the fizzy drinks that are out there. Served in clear plastic bags with straws, they also help keep litter levels down.
All of Chinampas drinks are made to traditional Mexican recipes, most of which Emma collected direct from the street vendors. These precious recipes were simply scribbled on napkins which Emma carefully transported back home with her at the end of her travels. Catering to the British taste the drinks have been toned down a little in terms of sugar content as we just don’t demand the same level of sweetness in our drinks. In fact Emma makes a range of options available, ranging in levels of sweetness to ensure that all tastes are catered for.
Of all the varieties of agua fresca Emma makes, horchata is her favourite. It’s a popular variety across Mexico and is made from rice milk, almond, cinnamon and vanilla. Other options you’ll find could include the sweet and sour tamarindo which is made with tamarind fruit and Flor de Jamaica made with dried hibiscus flowers.
Not yet a year old Chinampas has started to forge a place for itself in the Sheffield food market scene. Netheredge Farmers Market was Emma’s first venture and she kicked off to a good start by selling out within 2 hours! Since then these aguas frescas have appeared at Peace in the Park and the Sheffield food festival. Now Emma is venturing into Leeds and she’ll be at the first Amazing Graze event in April.