Thobwa is a Malawian and Zambian fermented drink[1] that has a milky appearance, a cereal taste and a grainy texture.[2] It is made from white maize and millet or sorghum[3] and is popular in all parts of the country.[4] The name thobwa means "sweet beer",[5] and although it is non-alcoholic it can be left for five days and it will turn to mowa or beer.[6]
Preparation edit
Thobwa is made by boiling water with m'gaiwa (whole grain white maize flour) until it makes phala (porridge).[7] More water is then added and brought to a rolling boil for about 15 minutes.[2] After this the mixture is left to cool until warm and at this point a handful of maŵele (millet flour) is added.[8] This mixture is now left in a mbiya (big clay pot) in a cool place for two days before being served as thobwa.[8]
Drinking and etiquette edit
Because thobwa is made using maize flour it has a cereal taste and is filling.[9] Many Malawians use this drink as energy for the day and it is sold everywhere out of recycled plastic bottles in the towns/cities, and from clay pots in the villages.[4] Thobwa can be found all year round, however it is mainly served in the hot months (September-November), and is particularly served to welcome guests visiting a compound. Huge quantities of thobwa are consumed at weddings as a celebratory drink.[6]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Mvula, Peter; Kalindekafe, Meya; Kishindo, Paul; Berge, Erling; Njaya, Friday (2014). Towards Defragmenting the Management System of Lake Chilwa Basin, Malawi. p. 68. ISBN 9783643903983. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
- ^ a b "porkandgin.com".
- ^ Mackenzie-Smith, Ken; Oxfam-Canada (1995). Kitchens of the World. p. 102. ISBN 9781896182346.
- ^ a b ""Thobwa" Malawi local soft drink". Archived from the original on 2014-09-03.
- ^ Jimu, Ignasio Malizani (2012). Peri-Urban Land Transactions. p. 302. ISBN 9789956727599.
- ^ a b "Thobwa". www.travelmalawiguide.com. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
- ^ Banda, Nathan (19 June 2013). Moments That Shaped My Life. p. 92. ISBN 9781449798666. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
- ^ a b "Local Food - Drinks - The Travel Word". www.thetravelword.com. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
- ^ Gibson, Rosalind S.; Yeudall, Fiona; Drost, Nancy; Mtitimuni, Beatrice M.; Cullinan, Timothy R. (2003-11-01). "Experiences of a Community-Based Dietary Intervention to Enhance Micronutrient Adequacy of Diets Low in Animal Source Foods and High in Phytate: A Case Study in Rural Malawian Children". The Journal of Nutrition. 133 (11): 3992S–3999S. doi:10.1093/jn/133.11.3992S. ISSN 0022-3166. PMID 14672301.