The apiao is a colonial-era drink consisting primarily of macerated aguardiente with celery, traditionally recommended as a digestive and aperitif.
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How to Make Celery Mistela?
Celery mistela is a variation of apiao, prepared with a shorter maceration time in aguardiente. Both drinks are traditional in southern Chile.
Nutritional Facts
Each serving of apiao contains approximately 90 kcal, 10 g of carbohydrates, 10 g of sugars, and 5 mg of sodium.
1. Chilean Apiao Recipe
Preparation Time: 10 days
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 12 people
Ingredients
- 750 ml water
- 300 ml aguardiente
- 200 g white sugar
- 3 cloves
- 2 celery stalks
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Wash the celery stalks and leaves, cut them into pieces, and set aside. In a large glass jar with a lid, combine 1 cup of aguardiente and ¾ cup of sugar. Seal and store in a dark place for 10 days.
- In a medium pot, combine the water, cinnamon stick, cloves, and some fresh celery leaves. Heat over medium heat and boil for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let cool slightly.
- Add 100 ml of aguardiente to the pot along with the prepared maceration. Stir to mix and let cool completely. Strain the mixture and transfer the apiao to sterilized glass bottles.
2. Celery Mistela Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 liter of aguardiente
- 600 ml water
- 200 g sugar
- 1 bunch of celery
- 1 clove
- ½ cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Remove the celery leaves, wash them, and cut them into 10 cm pieces. Place them in a large bowl. Pour the aguardiente over the celery and let it soak for at least 12 hours to extract the color and flavor. Strain and reserve in a large pot.
- In a small pot, combine the sugar and 100 ml of water. Cook, stirring continuously, for about 10 minutes after it starts boiling. Let cool and reserve.
- Gradually add the sugar syrup to the pot, stirring until dissolved and adjusting for the desired sweetness. Transfer to sterilized glass bottles and store for up to 1 year.
Benefits of Celery Consumption
Celery is rich in fiber, aiding in the prevention of constipation by stimulating gastric juice secretion. It helps improve stomach lining and prevents ulcers.
Additionally, celery has diuretic properties that promote urine production and the elimination of retained waste through the liver, intestines, and kidneys.
Did You Know?
Celery, native to the Mediterranean, was known in ancient Egypt and became widely cultivated during the Middle Ages. Today, it is consumed worldwide, both raw and cooked.
