title: Chemical and nutritional composition of tejate, a traditional maize and cacao beverage from the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico.
abstract: Foam-topped cacao and maize beverages have a long history in Mesoamerica. Tejate is such a beverage found primarily in the Zapotec region of the Central Valleys of Oaxaca, Mexico. Historically tejate has been ceremonially important but also as an essential staple, especially during periods of hard fieldwork. However, the nutritional contribution of traditional foods such as tejate has not been investigated. We analyzed tejate samples from three Central Valley communities, vendors in urban Oaxaca markets and one migrant vendor in California, USA for their proximate composition, amino acid content and scores, and mineral and methylxanthine content. Nutritional and chemical variation exists among tejate recipes, however, the beverage is a source of energy, fat, methylxanthines, K, Fe and other minerals although their availability due to presence of phytates remains to be determined. Tejate is a source of protein comparable to an equal serving size of tortillas, with protein quality similarly limited in both. Tejate provides the nutritional benefits of maize, and some additional ones, in a form appealing during hot periods of intense work, and year round because of its cultural significance. Its substitution by sodas and other high glycemic beverages may have negative nutritional, health and cultural consequences.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Farmacía, Facultad de Química, Laboratorio 111, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510 México, DF, México.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sotelo
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Soleri
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wacher
authors.forename: Argelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Chinchillas
authors.forename: Rosa Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Argote
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000032:analysis; D002140:California; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000032:analysis; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000032:analysis; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D008800:Mexico; D013805:Theobromine / Q000032:analysis; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis; D014970:Xanthines / Q000032:analysis; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D014131:Trace Elements; D014970:Xanthines; C008514:methylxanthine; D002110:Caffeine; D013805:Theobromine