πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡Ώ Eswatini Cuisine

Likhewu

Fermented Maize Drink

Prep Time 2 days
Servings 8
Difficulty Easy

A refreshing non-alcoholic fermented maize beverage with a pleasant sour taste, served cold as a thirst-quenching drink especially during hot Swazi summers.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups maize meal
  • 6 cups warm water
  • 2 tbsp sugar optional
  • Extra cold water for dilution

Instructions

  1. 1 Mix maize meal with warm water in a clean jar or food-safe container. Stir well to combine thoroughly.
  2. 2 Cover with a cloth and leave at room temperature for twenty-four to forty-eight hours to ferment naturally.
  3. 3 Stir the mixture once daily. It will develop a pleasantly sour taste and a slightly fizzy quality.
  4. 4 Strain through a fine cloth or strainer to remove all grit. The liquid should be smooth and milky white.
  5. 5 Dilute with cold water to desired strength, add sugar if preferred, and serve chilled. It is wonderfully refreshing.

Did You Know?

Likhewu is considered a probiotic drink in traditional Swazi medicine and is given to people recovering from illness to restore their strength.

From The Culinary Codex — http://theculinarycodex.com/dish/eswatini/likhewu/