{{short description|Type of cold soup from Andalusia, Spain}} {{more citations needed|date=March 2013}} {{Infobox food | name =
| image = Ajo blanco.jpg | caption = Ajoblanco served with [[grape]]s | alternate_name = Ajo blanco, white gazpacho | country = [[Spain]] | region = [[Andalusia]] | creator = | course = [[Hors d'oeuvre|Appetiser]] | served = Cold | main_ingredient = [[Bread]], [[almond]]s, [[garlic]], [[water]], [[olive oil]] | variations = | calories = | other = }}
'''Ajoblanco''' (sometimes written '''ajo blanco''') is a popular Spanish cold [[soup]] typical from [[Granada]] and [[Málaga]] ([[Andalusian cuisine|Andalusia]]). This dish is made of [[bread]], crushed [[almond]]s, [[garlic]], [[water]], [[olive oil]], [[salt]] and sometimes [[vinegar]]. It is usually served with [[grape]]s or slices of [[melon]]. When almonds were not available, for instance during the [[post-war]] period, [[flour]] from dried beans was used.
Ajoblanco is sometimes referred to as "white [[gazpacho]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cookalmostanything.blogspot.com/2007/03/ajo-blanco-white-gazpacho.html |title=Ajo Blanco - White Gazpacho | Cook (almost) Anything at Least Once |publisher=Cookalmostanything.blogspot.com |date=2007-03-23 |accessdate=2018-07-06}}</ref>
[[Extremaduran cuisine|Extremaduran]] ajoblanco ({{lang|es|ajoblanco extremeño}}) is a related though somewhat different dish, since it contains egg yolk in the emulsion as well as water, olive oil, garlic and bread, and while vegetables such as tomatoes or cucumbers may be added, it does not usually contain almonds.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://canalcocina.es/receta/ajoblanco-extremeno | title=Cocina la receta Ajoblanco extremeño de }}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150421185408/http://cocinavino.com/recetario/receta_info.php?id_receta=1366 Ajo Blanco Extremeño]</ref>
==History== The dish has its origins in the [[Arab cuisine]] since [[almond]], like many other foods and fruits, were introduced to Spain by the [[Arabs]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Canún |first=Nicole |date=January 21, 2022 |title=10 Incredible Ways Arabic Influenced Spanish Culture and Language |url=https://www.spanish.academy/blog/10-incredible-ways-arabic-influenced-spanish-culture-and-language/#:~:text=Almonds%2C%20dried%20fruits%2C%20dates%2C,the%20Arabs%20brought%20to%20Spain}}</ref> The narrative that its origin is Roman cuisine, which was introduced to the Roman Province of [[Hispania]] is weak and has very little basis considering that almonds were introduced by the Arabs{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} It would eventually become a traditional dish of [[Andalucía]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ajoblanco |url=http://malagagastronomyguide.com/en/ajoblanco/ |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=Guía Gastronómica de Málaga |language=en-US}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
==Characteristics== The bread (generally hard bread) is soaked overnight in order to soften it. The almonds and the garlic are mixed together (sometimes with [[vinegar]]) with a [[mortar and pestle]] until a white paste is formed. Finally water and olive oil are added and the mixture is beaten until it has an [[emulsion]]-like texture.
==Serving== In some areas of Granada it is customary to have ajoblanco as an accompaniment to a {{lang|es|"papa asada"}} (baked potato). When served this way, the soup is thinned so that it can be drunk directly from a glass.
In Málaga, ajoblanco is served with [[Muscat (grape)|Muscat]] grapes or, less commonly, other fresh fruit, such as [[apple]] or [[melon]]. There is a current trend to experiment with other such combinations.
==Festival== The town of [[Almáchar]], in the [[Axarquía]] region of Málaga, holds an annual ''Fiesta del Ajoblanco'' on the first Saturday of September, coinciding with the local grape harvest. The festival has been declared of Tourist Interest in Andalusia.<ref name="Andalucia">{{cite web |title=Fiesta del Ajoblanco |url=https://www.andalucia.org/es/eventos/fiesta-del-ajoblanco/ |website=Andalucia.org |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706075203/http://www.andalucia.org/es/eventos/fiesta-del-ajoblanco/ |archive-date=2018-07-06 |access-date=2014-05-29}}</ref><ref name="MalagaGuide">{{cite web |title=Ajoblanco |url=https://malagagastronomyguide.com/en/ajoblanco-2/ |website=Guía Gastronómica de Málaga |access-date=2026-05-22}}</ref>
==See also== * [[List of almond dishes]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.spain-recipes.com/ajo-blanco.html Authentic Spanish Ajoblanco recipe] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20040713082550/http://www.spain.info/TourSpain/Gastronomia/Productos%20y%20Recetas/Recetas/A/0/Ajoblanco.htm?Language=EN A recipe for Ajoblanco]
{{Culture of Andalusia}}
[[Category:Andalusian cuisine]] [[Category:Almond dishes]] [[Category:Cold soups]] [[Category:Spanish soups and stews]] [[Category:Garlic dishes]]