The Emoliente Street Vendor

The Emolientero (The Emoliente Street Vendor)

Oil on canvas - 4ft x 5ft

The Emolientero (Emoliente Street Vendor) was in just about every corner of the Lima (Lima, Perú) I remember. Especially during the winter months. It was either in a cold early morning or late in a cold evening when a hot Emoliente would be just the best beverage to have to warm you up.

The Emoliente is a traditional hot beverage (herbal infusion) made of different herbal juices, you could have combinations of different herbs, a little of this with a little of that, or a little of that with that and some more of this. And just after a couple of sips, your body would be warm and you’d be feeling great and healthier.

The Emolientero was kind of like a “Street-Bar-Tender” ...I don’t know how much things have changed ever since I bought my last Emoliente, but when I lived in Lima they were experts. It was a great show just to watch him prepare your Emoliente. Whatever you paid, you would get to watch the show and get a delicious drink. The way he would grab de bottles (with two fingers), the way he’d pour and mix the different juices, no spills... better than any bar tender from the top nightclubs of the world.

Here are a couple of links if you’d like to read a little more about the Emoliente and/or the Emolientero:

http://www.limaeasy.com/peruvian-food-guide/typical-drinks-beverages/emoliente

http://www.questformore.com/emoliente-street-vendor/