Xtabentún is one drink you should definitely try if you visit the warm Caribbean is.
On the rocks or in a delicious Mayan coffee? Whichever you decide, we can promise that you’ve never tasted anything like it before. Xtabentú, with its hypnotic, intense smell and sweet anise flavour is an excellent digestive and perfect after tasting Yucatecan food. It made with local honey from the region, and what makes it extra special is that it’s produced by honeybees from the nectar of Xtabentún flowers. The taste is similar to sweet aniseed with a hint of honey, which enhances the flavour of the alcohol.
These delicate flowers conceal a very famous legend in the region. The story goes that Xtabentún flower first appeared on the grave of a woman called Xtabay, who despite having a bad reputation for giving herself to any man that asked, never once stopped helping any person or animal that needed her help. When Xtabay died, a delicate and exquisite aroma emanated from her body that was the same as the xtabentún flowers, which continued to grow on her grave long after she had passed away thanks to the goodness of her soul.
Based on the tradition of drinking “balché” as a sacred drink in Mayan ceremonies, Xtabentún is a fusion of Mayan and Spanish culture. Mixing xtabentún honey with other ingredients such as tree bark, corn, water from the cenotes and the tropical climate of the Yucatan peninsula, resulted in a natural low alcoholic fermentation, and made this extraordinary drink an important part of offerings during ceremonies to their gods.
When the Spaniards arrived during colonization, they decided to take advantage of the best of the Mayan drink, the bee honey. They combined it with aniseed brought from Spain to achieve a fermentation between honey and aniseed, resulting in a popular drink during the colonial era.
Today, Xtabentún plays a big part in Yucatan life and is imperative if you want to fully appreciate and enjoy Caribbean cuisine. Make sure to try it and tell us what you think.
