Okay, so today I decided to dive into the world of Zimbabwean drinks. I’ve heard about a few, but I really wanted to try making some myself. It was a bit of an adventure, let me tell you!
First Steps: Research
First, I started with some good old internet searching. I typed in “traditional Zimbabwean drinks” and browsed through a bunch of articles and recipes. I found out about a few popular options:
- Maheu: This seems to be a staple, a non-alcoholic drink made from fermented maize meal.
- Mazoe Orange Crush: A super popular orange-flavored syrup that you mix with water.
- Traditional Beer (Whawha): I saw some mentions of homemade beer, but that seemed a little too ambitious for today.
Attempt 1: Maheu
I decided to try making Maheu first. It sounded simple enough, right? I found a recipe that called for maize meal, water, and sugar. I mixed the maize meal with a little water to make a thin porridge, then added more water and sugar. The recipe said to let it ferment for a day or two, so I covered it and left it on the counter.
The next day, I checked on it, and honestly, it smelled a little… funky. I was still determined, though. I stirred it up and took a sip. It was… interesting. Kind of sour and grainy, but not completely awful. Maybe it needed more time to ferment? I let it sit for another day.
Day three, I tried it again. Still pretty sour, but a bit thicker. I added some more sugar, which helped a little. I’m not sure I’d call it delicious, but it was definitely an experience. I think I might need to try a different recipe next time.
Attempt 2: Mazoe Orange Crush Substitute
Since I couldn’t easily get my hands on the real Mazoe Orange Crush, I decided to make a substitute. I simply squeezed some fresh oranges and make them to Juice, added water, and a bit of sugar to sweeten it up.
The Verdict
My Zimbabwean drink adventure was a mixed bag! The homemade Maheu was… a learning experience.
As for my substitute, it tastes good.
I’m definitely going to keep experimenting, though. Maybe I’ll try to find a different Maheu recipe, or even brave the traditional beer someday!
