Akasan (Haitian Spiced Cornmeal Drink)
In short: A thick, warm Haitian cornmeal drink spiced with cinnamon, star anise and nutmeg, finished with evaporated milk and vanilla. Breakfast in a mug. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 165 kcal
Akasan is a thick, warm cornmeal drink that Haitians have for breakfast or an evening pick-me-up. Fine cornmeal is cooked with cinnamon and star anise, then finished with evaporated milk, sugar, nutmeg and vanilla. It is thick enough to need a spoon but still pourable, and it is sold by street vendors early in the morning.
Instructions
- Bring the 750 ml of water to a boil with the cinnamon stick and star anise. Simmer for 10 minutes, then lift out the spices.
- Whisk the cornmeal with the cold water in a small bowl until no lumps remain.
- Lower the heat to medium and pour the cornmeal mixture into the spiced water in a slow stream, whisking constantly.
- Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often, until the drink has thickened and no longer tastes raw.
- Stir in the sugar, evaporated milk, nutmeg, vanilla and salt and cook for 2 minutes more. Add a little hot water if it is too thick.
- Serve hot in mugs, with a little more nutmeg on top if you like.
Tips
- Use fine cornmeal or corn flour for a smooth drink. Coarser cornmeal makes a grainy porridge and needs longer cooking.
- For a dairy-free akasan, replace the evaporated milk with 120 ml (1/2 cup) of coconut milk. It tastes richer and slightly tropical.
Questions and answers
Is akasan a drink or a porridge?
It sits between the two. Akasan is thick like a thin porridge, but it is usually sipped from a mug or eaten with a spoon.
Can I serve akasan cold?
It thickens a lot as it cools, so serve it hot. Reheat with a splash of water or milk, whisking until smooth.
What can I eat with akasan?
Haitians often have it with bread or a fried pastry for breakfast. A simple slice of buttered bread is enough.
How long does it take to make Akasan (Haitian Spiced Cornmeal Drink)?
About 30 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Akasan (Haitian Spiced Cornmeal Drink)?
About 165 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 31 g of carbohydrates and 3 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 165 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 31 g |
| Fat | 3 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 16 g |
| Sodium | 115 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
