Maheu (Zambian Fermented Maize Drink)
In short: A thin, tangy, lightly sweet drink of cooked maize meal and water fermented for a day or two, served well chilled. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 30 h
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 130 kcal
Maheu is a thin, sour and refreshing maize drink that is sold in cartons and made at home across Zambia. Maize meal is cooked into a thin porridge, cooled and left to ferment for a day or two with a spoonful of sorghum flour to help it along. It is then sweetened and chilled. The flavor is sharp like buttermilk, and it is often drunk in the afternoon heat or with a snack.
Instructions
- Whisk the maize meal with 300 ml (1 1/4 cups) of the cold water until smooth. Bring 700 ml (3 cups) water to a boil and stir the paste in.
- Simmer for 10 minutes over low heat, stirring often, to make a thin porridge. Remove from the heat and let it cool to lukewarm.
- Mix the sorghum flour with 100 ml water and stir it into the porridge. Pour into a clean glass jar or bowl, cover loosely with a cloth and leave in a warm place.
- Ferment for 24 to 36 hours, stirring once or twice, until it smells pleasantly sour and shows small bubbles.
- Stir in the remaining 400 ml cold water and the sugar. Strain through a sieve for a smoother drink if you like.
- Chill for at least 2 hours. Stir well and serve cold.
Tips
- Fermentation is faster in a warm room. In cool weather leave it for 36 hours or more, and taste before sweetening.
- Use scrupulously clean jars and utensils, and throw out any batch that smells rotten or grows mold.
Questions and answers
Is maheu alcoholic?
Fresh maheu is non-alcoholic or only trace-alcoholic. Longer fermentation makes it sourer and can raise the alcohol level slightly.
How long does maheu keep?
Up to 3 days in the fridge, getting sourer each day. Stir before pouring.
Can I use whole-grain maize meal?
Yes. It gives a darker and nuttier drink but needs a longer simmer of about 15 minutes.
How long does it take to make Maheu (Zambian Fermented Maize Drink)?
About 30 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Maheu (Zambian Fermented Maize Drink)?
About 130 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 28 g of carbohydrates and 1 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 130 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 28 g |
| Fat | 1 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
