Alegría is a Mexican candy made from seeds of amaranth and honey or sugar that is produced mainly in the town of Santiago Tulyehualco in the Xochimilco borough of Mexico City. It has been known as "alegría" since the 16th century. The alegría of Tulyehualco was officially declared Patrimonio Cultural Intangible de la Ciudad de México (an intangible part of the cultural heritage of Mexico City) in September 2016.
Amaranth is a plant native to Mexico. In prehispanic times, in addition to forming part of the diet of the indigenous people, it was also used as currency and for ceremonial purposes. Figures of amaranth and honey were made as offerings to the gods. In order to stop those religious practices, Hernán Cortés banned the cultivation of amaranth. The plant began to fall into disuse because those who continued to cultivate it faced being put to death as punishment.
Alegrías have become the most popular way of consuming amaranth, these sweets are prepared by roasting and inflating the seeds of the plant which are then mixed with honey or sugar, the mixture is molded into different forms and is packaged for sale.
Video Alegría (Mexican candy)
References
Maps Alegría (Mexican candy)
External links
- Media related to Alegrias at Wikimedia Commons
Source of article : Wikipedia
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