What is "pinole"

Pinole \Pi*nole"\, n.

1. An aromatic powder used in Italy in the manufacture of chocolate.

2. Parched maize, ground, and mixed with sugar, etc. Mixed with water, it makes a nutritious beverage.

n. A coarse flour made from ground toasted maize kernels, often mixed with herbs, which may be eaten by itself or incorporated into drinks.

Pinole, also called pinol or pinolillo, is an ancient grain originating with the Aztecs, who spread it throughout Mesoamerica. It is made principally of a unique roasted ground maize, which is then mixed with a combination of cocoa, agave, cinnamon, chia seeds, vanilla, or other spices. The resulting powder is then used as a nutrient-dense ingredient to make different foods, such as cereals, baked goods, tortillas, and beverages. The name comes from the Nahuatl word pinolli, meaning cornmeal. Today, pinole is generally made by hand using wood-burning adobe ovens and a stone and pestle, and is still consumed in certain, often rural, parts of Latin America. In fact, pinole is considered the national beverage of Nicaragua and Honduras.