Drinks
Air Tebu (Fresh Sugarcane Juice)
Ingredients
- - 2 Fresh sugarcane stalks, peeled and cut into short lengths (about 500g / 1lb 2oz)
- - 15 ml Fresh lime juice (1 tbsp)
- - 5 g Fresh ginger, thinly sliced (optional) (1 small slice)
- - 200 g Ice cubes, for serving (2 cups)
Method
- Peel the tough outer skin from the sugarcane stalks and cut into short lengths that fit your press or juicer.
- Feed the sugarcane pieces through a sugarcane press, or blend with a small splash of water in a heavy-duty blender and strain through a fine sieve, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible.
- If using ginger, add the sliced ginger through the press along with the last piece of cane, or muddle it and strain it into the juice.
- Stir the fresh lime juice into the extracted sugarcane juice.
- Fill glasses with ice and pour the sugarcane juice over the top. Serve immediately.
Introduction: Freshly pressed sugarcane juice, sold from carts and market stalls across Brunei, is one of the simplest and most refreshing drinks in the country, often served over ice with a squeeze of lime or a slice of ginger.
Cultural Background: Freshly pressed sugarcane juice, sold from carts and market stalls across Brunei, is one of the simplest and most refreshing drinks in the country, often served over ice with a squeeze of lime or a slice of ginger. Vendors crush whole sugarcane stalks through a press right in front of customers, delivering a naturally sweet, grassy-tasting juice that is especially popular during the hot midday hours and at night markets.
Tips: Sugarcane juice oxidises and loses its bright flavour quickly, so serve it as fresh as possible. A traditional hand-cranked or motorised sugarcane press gives the cleanest extraction, but a strong blender with straining also works. Adjust the lime to taste — it balances the intense natural sweetness of the cane.
Variations: Add a few mint leaves through the press for a cooling, herbal note. Mix with a splash of fresh lemongrass juice for extra fragrance. Serve over crushed ice rather than cubes for an even more refreshing, slushy texture. Naturally vegan and gluten-free.
Storage: Best consumed immediately; if needed, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours before the flavour begins to dull.
Reheating: Not applicable — served cold.
Nutrition: Per serving: approx. 180 kcal, 0g protein, 46g carbohydrate, 0g fat.
FAQs:
Q: Where can I buy sugarcane stalks?
A: Fresh sugarcane is available at Southeast Asian and Latin American grocers, often already peeled and cut into lengths.
Q: Can I make this without a sugarcane press?
A: Yes — a powerful blender with a small amount of water, followed by straining through a fine sieve or muslin cloth, works reasonably well.
Q: Is sugarcane juice very sweet?
A: Yes, it is naturally very sweet, which is why a squeeze of lime is traditionally added to balance it.