{{Short description|Traditional drink from Peru}} {{Infobox drink | name = Emoliente | image = Emol.jpg | image_size = | image_alt = | caption = | type = Tisane | abv = | proof = | manufacturer = | distributor = | origin = Viceroyalty of Peru | introduced = | discontinued = | colour = | flavour = | ingredients = Barley, Andean horsetail, flaxseed, alfalfa, ribwort plantain, boldo, sugar and lemon juice | variants = | related = | website = | region = Peru }}
An '''''emoliente''''' ({{IPA|es|emolˈjente}}) is a traditional drink consumed principally in Peru. It is customary to drink it in the morning or evening. Various medicinal properties are attributed to ''emolientes'' and they are used to treat digestive, reproductive, respiratory and circulatory problems.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 February 2015 |title=¿Cuáles son los beneficios de consumir emoliente? |language=es |agency=laprensa.peru.com |url=https://laprensa.peru.com/actualidad/noticia-beneficios-consumir-emoliente-39571 |access-date=21 February 2018 |archive-date=21 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221100819/https://laprensa.peru.com/actualidad/noticia-beneficios-consumir-emoliente-39571 |url-status=live }}</ref>
''Emolientes'' were introduced to Peru during the colonial era as a medicinal drink or tisane. In Lima they became popular to the point that there was an ''emolientero'' (emoliente seller) on practically every street corner.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Acurio |first=Gastón |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MID-tgAACAAJ |title=Larousse de la gastronomía peruana: diccionario gatronómico ilustrado |date=2008 |publisher=Q.W. Editores |isbn=9789972589379 |editor-last= |location=Lima |page=159 |language=es |chapter= |author-link=Gastón Acurio |access-date= |archive-date=2021-11-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130205540/https://books.google.es/books?id=MID-tgAACAAJ& |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=EMOLIENTE |url=http://comidasperuanas.net/emoliente/ |access-date=28 August 2017 |publisher=Comidas Peruanas |archive-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828230026/http://comidasperuanas.net/emoliente/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[File:Emolientera_Cusco_02012009.JPG|thumb|300x300px|An ''emoliente'' seller in Cusco, Peru.]]
== Characteristics == An ''emoliente'' is a drink based on roasted grains of barley, medicinal herbal extracts, sugar and lemon juice. Amongst the most commonly used herbs are Andean horsetail, linseeds, alfalfa, ribwort plantain and ''boldo''.<ref name=":0" />
In recent years, ''emolliente'' sellers, especially those with mobile street carts, have been incorporating a range of medicinal plants into their drinks, some of which have been chosen due to their diuretic properties.<ref name=":0" /> These include cat's claw, maca, gale of the wind, ''sangre de grado'', ''muña'' and ''Aloe''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Propiedades del Emoliente |url=http://www.lineayforma.com/nutricion/propiedades-del-emoliente.html |access-date=28 August 2017 |publisher=Mujeractiva.com |archive-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828230703/http://www.lineayforma.com/nutricion/propiedades-del-emoliente.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Other so-called "special" ''emolientes'' may include pollen, honey, ''algarrobina'', corn silk, spices (such as cinnamon) or infusions made from fruit (quince or pineapple) or potato skins.<ref name=":0" />
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Peruvian drinks Category:Hot drinks