Drinks
Mageu
Ingredients
- - 150 g (1 cup) maize meal or sorghum meal
- - 1.5 litres (6 cups) water, divided
- - 100 g (1/2 cup) sugar
- - 60 ml (1/4 cup) plain natural yoghurt or leftover mageu, for starter
Method
- Bring 1 litre of the water to the boil in a saucepan.
- Mix the maize or sorghum meal with the remaining 500 ml cold water to form a smooth paste, then whisk into the boiling water.
- Simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring often, until thickened into a smooth, thin porridge. Remove from heat and allow to cool to lukewarm.
- Stir in the sugar and the yoghurt or mageu starter.
- Pour into a large non-metallic container, cover loosely, and leave in a warm place for 24-48 hours, stirring once a day, until pleasantly sour and slightly fizzy.
- Strain through a fine sieve to remove any lumps, then chill well before serving.
Introduction: Mageu is a lightly fermented, slightly sour and mildly sweet drink made from maize or sorghum meal, enjoyed across Botswana as a refreshing, thirst-quenching beverage.
Cultural Background: Mageu is a lightly fermented, slightly sour and mildly sweet drink made from maize or sorghum meal, enjoyed across Botswana as a refreshing, thirst-quenching beverage. Originally a way of using leftover porridge or grain, it developed into a distinct drink in its own right, traditionally made at home and now also produced commercially and sold in shops and markets throughout the country.
Tips: Taste the mageu daily while fermenting; the flavour will become more sour and tangy the longer it sits. Store fermented mageu in the refrigerator to slow further fermentation once it reaches your preferred taste.
Variations: Blend with fresh fruit such as banana for a modern, fruitier twist. Use a mix of maize and sorghum meal for a more complex, traditional flavour. Naturally vegan as written.
Storage: Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, stirring before serving.
Reheating: Not applicable; mageu is served cold.
Nutrition: Approx. per serving (250 ml): 110 kcal, 1 g protein, 25 g carbohydrates, 0 g fat, 1 g fibre.
FAQs:
Q: Is mageu alcoholic?
A: No, mageu undergoes a mild lactic fermentation similar to yoghurt and does not become alcoholic, unlike traditional sorghum beer.
Q: Can I skip the fermenting step?
A: Fermenting is what gives mageu its signature tang; skipping it will result in a sweet maize drink rather than true mageu.