---
title: "Chilean Ulpo — Toasted Flour and Milk Drink Recipe"
description: "Versión en Español. Ulpo is a traditional Mapuche drink made by mixing toasted wheat flour into warm milk or cold water, ready in under 5 minutes. Also called charcán, it is usually sweetened with sug..."
url: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-ulpo-toasted-flour-milk-drink-recipe/
date: 2026-09-20
modified: 2026-09-20
author: "Carlos Uhart M."
image: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/chilean-ulpo-toasted-flour-drink.jpg
categories: ["Beverages"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Chilean Ulpo — Toasted Flour and Milk Drink Recipe

[Versión en Español](https://comidaschilenas.com/receta-de-ulpo/)

![A glass of Chilean ulpo, a toasted flour and milk drink, dusted with a pinch of cinnamon.](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/chilean-ulpo-toasted-flour-drink.jpg)*Chilean ulpo toasted flour drink*

Ulpo is a traditional Mapuche drink made by mixing toasted wheat flour into warm milk or cold water, ready in under 5 minutes. Also called charcán, it is usually sweetened with sugar or honey, and when made with cold water instead of milk, it takes the name cocho.

## Nutritional Information

Each serving of toasted flour ulpo contains approximately 230 kcal, 9 g of protein, 6 g of fat (3.5 g saturated), 35 g of carbohydrates, 3 g of fiber, 18 g of sugars, 15 mg of cholesterol, and 90 mg of sodium. (*)

(*) Values may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.

## How to Make Chilean Ulpo?

Making Chilean ulpo is a simple, nutritious recipe, an energizing way to start the day, usually eaten for breakfast and sweetened with sugar or honey.

**Prep time:** 10 minutes

**Servings:** 1 person

### Ingredients

- 300 ml whole milk (or cold water for the cocho version)
- ½ cup toasted flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

### Instructions

1. If using milk, warm it over low heat until just warm, without letting it boil. If you prefer the cold-water version (cocho), skip this step. Pour the warm milk or cold water into a wide bowl. Add the toasted flour little by little while stirring with a spoon to avoid lumps.

![Toasted wheat flour, the base ingredient for ulpo.](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/toasted-wheat-flour-ulpo.jpg)*Toasted wheat flour*

1. Add sugar or honey to taste. Mix until combined and taste, adjusting the sweetness if needed. Serve immediately with a pinch of ground cinnamon on top. Ulpo tends to settle, so it is best to drink it right away or stir before each sip.

![Warm milk being used as the liquid base for ulpo.](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/warm-milk-ulpo.jpg)*Warm milk for ulpo*

1. Add two more tablespoons of sugar or honey to taste and mix again to fully combine, tasting and adjusting if needed. Serve the ulpo immediately, optionally adding a pinch of ground cinnamon on top.

## Tips and Variations

For anyone with lactose intolerance, the milk can be swapped for any preferred plant-based milk, oat, almond, or rice all work well.

### What Is Cocho and How Is It Different from Ulpo?

Cocho is the same preparation as ulpo, but made with cold water instead of warm milk. It is the more refreshing version, common in the countryside during summer. Technically, ulpo and cocho are the same food, the only difference is the temperature and the liquid base.

### How to Make Toasted Flour at Home

If you can’t find ready-made toasted flour, it’s easy to prepare it yourself.

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat with no oil or butter.
2. Add plain wheat flour and stir constantly with a wooden spoon.
3. Toast for 8 to 12 minutes until it turns an even golden color and releases a nutty aroma.
4. Remove from the heat, let it cool completely, and store in an airtight jar.

## Ulpo Variants by Preparation

| Name | Liquid | Temperature | Typical Context |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Ulpo** | Whole milk | Warm | Breakfast, year-round |
| **Cocho** | Water | Cold | Summer, farm work |
| **Charcán** | Milk or water | Variable | Synonym for ulpo in central Chile |
| **Hazelnut ulpo** | Milk or water | Warm or cold | Gourmet version, La Araucanía |
| **Chupilca** | Red wine | Room temperature | Social gatherings or celebrations |

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

### 1. Can it be made with cold water?

Yes, in the countryside it is very common to drink it with cold spring water during summer to cool off, which technically makes it a “cocho”.

### 2. Is it suitable for athletes?

Absolutely. Being rich in slow-release complex carbohydrates, ulpo works as an excellent pre-workout fuel that releases energy steadily.

### 3. Can I use flour from other grains?

While wheat is the classic choice, ulpo made with toasted Chilean hazelnut flour is a delicious gourmet version with a nutritional profile richer in healthy fats.

### 4. How do I keep the flour from settling at the bottom?

Ulpo is a suspension, not a solution, so it is natural for the flour to settle. The key is to drink it right away or keep a spoon in the bowl to stir occasionally.

### 5. Can it be sweetened with stevia or tagatose?

Yes, you can replace the sugar or honey without any issue to lower the glycemic impact of the drink.

## Benefits of Eating Toasted Flour

Toasted flour is rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber, providing sustained energy and supporting healthy digestion. Its natural antioxidants, a byproduct of toasting the grain, also help fight oxidative stress and strengthen the immune system.

## History and Origin of Ulpo

Ulpo comes from a Quechua word that literally means “dry flour”, a staple ingredient of agricultural regions, traditionally used to accompany watermelon, chacolí, chicha, and aguardiente (pihuelo) or red wine (chupilca).

## Did You Know?

Toasted flour has been part of traditional Mapuche cuisine for centuries and is called “mürke” in Mapudungun, historically made from corn before wheat spread throughout the Americas.

## Recommended

- [Chilean Pihuelo Cocktail](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-pihuelo-recipe/)
- [Chilean Malt with Toasted Flour](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-malt-toasted-flour-malta-con-harina-tostada-recipe/)
- [Chilean Concones Toasted Flour Dumpling Soup](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-concones-toasted-flour-dumpling-soup-recipe/)
- [Chilean Chunchules with Toasted Flour](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/chilean-chunchules-with-toasted-flour-recipe/)