Refresco de Linaza (Raw Flax Seed Juice)

by Alura Gonzales
(Santa Cruz, Bolivia)

You’ll need:

2 Liters of Water
1/2 cup of whole flax seed (flakes if you prefer)
Sugar to taste

How to prepare:
Place one or two cups of the water in a blender along with the flax seed and blend until the seeds are very broken.

Strain the seeds through a strainer, preserving the water they leave behind in a pitcher or bowl. Add another one or two cups of water to your blender and return the already broken seeds to the blender. Blend again. Strain again.

To the water you've preserved after straining the seeds, add the remaining water and turbinado sugar to taste. What you want to drink is the water, not the seed.

Additional tip: In Santa Cruz, this refresco is also served with a sprinkle of lemon juice, which gives it a tasty bittersweet flavor. Just sprinkle the juice of a ½ lemon (or as much as you like) when serving. It also tastes better when served cold.