Gaudencio Ferrer
Almost everyone is familiar with at least some traditional and artisanal Mexican food but have you tried a Tepache? Meet Gaudencio Ferrer, who since May 2019 has been sharing this craft drink at the Mercado.
The Tepache drink comes from Nahuatl Tepatli, which means “corn drink.” This artisanal drink, of pre-hispanic origin, is obtained through the fermentation of the shell and pulp of the pineapple.
For Gaudencio, sharing this drink reminds him of growing up in Mexico. Gaudencio’s grandmother first prepared tepache to sell at the Putleco carnival and from there, the recipe has been passed to his mom, who sells at the same carnival. As a result, Gaudencio adopted the interest of maintaining and continuing his grandmother’s legacy and now uses that same recipe.
“Everyone has their own way of preparing the Tepache but I want to keep my grandmother’s recipe.”
Gaudencio comments, “Everyone has their own way of preparing the Tepache but I want to keep my grandmother’s recipe. The Tepache has a nectar, sweet, delicious, and soft taste that you don’t want to end.” For this reason, Gaudencio, like other vendors of the Mercado, has the desire to have a business that allows him to not only preserve his Mexican roots but also maintain the legacy of his family.