Cajuína is a non-alcoholic, non-carbonated beverage made of blended cashew apples. It is traditional in the northeast region of Brazil, especially in the state of Piauí.
It was invented by writer and pharmacist Rodolfo Teófilo in the 1890s, who sought to find a healthier alternative to alcoholic beverages.[1][2][3] Cajuína is produced by Appert's method—that is, heating clarified cashew juice in a sealed container. The caramelization of its sugars gives cajuína its flavor and distinctive golden color. The process also sterilizes the beverage, allowing it to be stored for long periods.
Somewhat confusingly, a cashew-flavored carbonated soda is also popularly known as cajuína in Ceará.
Further reading
References
- Entre-lugar Na Literatura Cearense. O Entre-lugar na Literatura Cearense: Rodolfo Teófilo e a invenção da Cajuína O Entre-lugar na Literatura Cearense, 2021-01-27, retrieved 2023-09-02^
- Rodolfo Teófilo já combateu epidemia em Fortaleza; relembre trajetória do farmacêutico e escritor - Verso Diário do Nordeste, 2020-04-01, retrieved 2023-09-02^