Tejocote

Tejocote

Tejocote is a species of hawthorne sometimes referred to as “Mexican Hawthorne” because this small tree grows all over Mexico. The tree grows 16 to 30 feet tall, with a dense crown. The leaves are semi-evergreen, oval to diamond-shaped, and up to 3 inches long. The flowers are off-white with the fruit being a round to oval shape. They are orange-red pomes 2 centimeters long and 1.5 centimeters in diameter, ripening in late winter only shortly before the flowers of the following year.

Tejocotes have three or sometimes more hard brown seeds in the center. In size and shape, it resembles a crab apple and, like apples, it is a winter fruit in Mexico. The fruit is eaten in Mexico raw, cooked and also sold canned in syrup. Tejocote is also a main ingredient used in “ponche”, the traditional Mexican hot fruit punch that is served at Christmas time and on New Year’s Eve, as well as being used on Day of the Dead where the fruit as well as candy prepared from it are used as offerings to the dead, and rosaries made of the fruit are part of altar decorations. The mixture of Tejocote paste, sugar, and chili powder produces a popular Mexican candy called “rielitos” for its resemblance to tiny train rails.

Ponche

Ingredients

25 Tejocotes
15 Guavas
1 cup raisins
1 cup prunes
300 Gr Tamarindo
6 Sugar Canes
4 Apples
6 cups cinnamon
25-30 cups water
Brown sugar to taste

Preparation

You have to wash and cut fruit, then put in a pot to boil along with the Cinnamon, Tamarind, Sugar Cane and brown sugar. You can add sugar to your liking.
When fruits are fully cooked, remove from heat and it is ready to serve.