Horchata is a sweet drink in Spain made of tigernuts.
Horchata and fartón are consumed as breakfast in Valencia and many Orxaterias dotted the city. The best horchata is to be had at Horchateria Daniel in Alboraya – about 15 minutes by metro from the Valencia city center, right where the tigernuts are produced.
It is said that Salvador Dalí visited there and they have the photo to prove it 🙂
Fortunately for those who do not fancy a 15 minute metro ride just to get breakfast, Horchateria Daniel has a store at Mercado de Colón (the Columbus Market) in the city.
The building was designed by the Valencian architect Francisco Mora Berenguer between 1914 and 1916 in Art Nouveau style of the early century. It was declared a national monument.
I got there at the open and ordered a medium sized horchata, a fartón and a piece of Coca de llanda, which I was told was a Valencian specialty.
The horchata – I got mine sugar free – was served icy cold as it was intended as a refreshment for the hot Valencian summers. The fartón was light, spongy and did well to absorb the liquid.
The Coca de llanda was fluffy and delicious.
Overall, I like the aspect of another nutritious plant-based drink and wished that the it’d be available in Lisbon.
Or I would have to make it myself following the recipes below, that is, if I can find those nuts!
Have you had the Spanish horchata before? What do you think of it?
Coming up next: Valencia, Spain – A Walk
Travel-Gourmand.com 
I will be happy if I I will taste it
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve tried tigernut horchata in Spain before an I have to say I really prefer the Mexican version made with rice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the Mexican version as well. Too bad we can’t find either over here 😦
LikeLike
Lovely market
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delightful post
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
I also had horchata in Valencia, and I had it at one of the historic horchaterias (forgot the name). Personally, I find Spanish horchata to be quite starchy and bland for my taste, and I actually prefer the Mexican version, which has more flavor and I’m more accustomed to it. Out of respect for its origins, though, it’s always good to get it in Spain!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you went to Horchateria Santa Catalina near the center of the tourist sights: https://www.horchateriasantacatalina.com/en/. It’s historical as you said and recommended on all the tour books. I also like the Mexican version.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My little sister is going to study in Valencia next spring semester and we are going to visit, I’m going to have to try this! I’m looking forward to any other tips you have.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Laci! We loved Valencia and I’m sure you will too. There’s also another Horchateria https://www.horchateriasantacatalina.com/en/ that’s very popular with tourists. Horchateria Daniel is more for locals, I like though, the market is beautiful . You and your sis can try both and let me know 🙂 I will write more about Valencia soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never tried this. Nice to learn something NEW.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Neither had I. It’s different, but I like the variety and it’s supposed to be nutritious. I can’t find it in Portugal. So I will have to make that hour long flight to Spain more often 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s wonderful when we have a reason to go someplace. When I was young, we felt we needed to go to Italy to visit my grandmother and also that was the only place to get Nutella and special Itailan cookies. Now, we can get BIG jugs of Nutella here and we can find the cookies too… sigh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then we must discover other specialties we can only get at each destination 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person