Tongba

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Tongba (Nepali: तोङवा) is an alcoholic drink made from fermented finger millet . Tongba is particularly popular in the eastern mountain regions of Nepal and the neighboring Indian areas of Darjeeling and Sikkim . Tongba is considered to be the traditional drink used by Sherpas and the Limbu tribes in eastern Nepal. Offering tongba to guests is an important gesture of respect in limbo culture.

preparation

Tongba consists of boiled and then fermented finger millet, a type of millet found in Africa and Asia with an above-average calcium content. The cooked millet is cooled and mixed with Murcha , a mixture of bacteria and yeast. Then put the mass in a covered bamboo basket in a warm place for 1–2 days. The sweet mass is then stored in an airtight container for a further 7-15 days in order to complete the fermentation process.

The time of the fermentation and subsequent storage process has a strong influence on the final taste of tongba. During storage, the taste becomes even more intense and sweet. The traditional storage time is around six months. For consumption, the fermented millet is arranged in a special container made of aluminum or wood and hot water is poured over it. The tongba then has to steep for about five minutes and can then be drunk with a thin straw. To do this, the straw should be pressed in at one end so that unnecessary millet is not sucked up. When the water is used up, the process can be repeated three to four times until the taste finally subsides.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Nick Easen: Mountain High . In: Time . March 1, 2004, ISSN  0040-781X ( time.com [accessed September 18, 2016]).
  2. ↑ MYREPUBLICA.com - News in Nepal: Fast, Full & Factual. In: archives.myrepublica.com. Retrieved September 18, 2016 .
  3. ↑ Wonderful finger millet !! Amazing Nutritional Value to Keep You Healthy… | Scientific India Magazine. In: www.scind.org. Retrieved September 18, 2016 .
  4. ^ Bill Mollison: Ferment & Human Nutrition . 1993, p. 208 .
  5. ↑ Maya Tongba: How to prepare Maya Tongba correctly. Retrieved September 18, 2016 .