Santiago de Guatemala

The other drinke which is much used in the India's is called Atolle, of which I will say but a little, because I know it cannot be used here. This was the drinke of the ancient Indians, and is a thick pap made of the flower of Maiz, taking off the huskes from it, which is windy and melancholy. This is commonly carried by the Indian women to the Markets hot in pots, and there is sold in cups. The Criolian students, as wee goe to a Taverne to drink a cup of wine, so they go in company to the publike Markets, and as publikely buy and drinke by measure of this Atolle; which somtimes is seasoned with a little Chile, or long Pepper, and then it pleaseth them best. But the Nuns and Gentlewomen have got a trick of confectioning it with Cinnamon, Sweet-waters, Amber, or Muske, and store of Sugar, and thus it is held to be a most strong and nourishing drinke, which the Physitians doe prescribe unto a weake body, as we doe here our Almond-milke. But of what England never knew nor tasted, I will say no more, but hasten my penne to Guatemala, which hath been my second patria.

The other drink which is much used in the Indies is called atole. I will say only a little about it, because I know it cannot be used here. This was the drink of the ancient Indians. It is a thick pap made of the flour of maize, with the husks taken off, which is windy and melancholy. It is commonly carried hot in pots by the Indian women to the markets, and there it is sold in cups. The Creole students, as we go to a tavern to drink a cup of wine, go together to the public markets and just as publicly buy and drink this atole by the measure. Sometimes it is seasoned with a little chile, or long pepper, and then it pleases them best. But the nuns and gentlewomen have learned a trick of making it with cinnamon, sweet waters, amber or musk, and plenty of sugar. Made this way it is held to be a very strong and nourishing drink, which the physicians prescribe for a weak body, as we do almond milk here. But of what England never knew nor tasted, I will say no more, but hurry my pen on to Guatemala, which has been my second patria.