This is an East African staple. In Uganda and Rwanda, the thick, yellowish-brown liquid, with a strong alcohol flavour, has been a traditional drink for millions of people during occasions like weddings, cultural rituals, Christmas, among others.
It is produced on a large scale by local producers but now increasingly being mass marketed.
Banana beer
The basic process of making banana beer begins by leaving unpeeled bananas in a pit for some days to ripen.
One then takes the meat from the skin, after which it is kneaded, juiced, filtered, and diluted. Yeast is added in the form of sorghum, millet, or maize grains.
After this process of fermentation is done, the banana beer is ready.
Check out the brewing process courtesy gourmetsleuth.com.
Bananas
Peel ripe bananas by hand. Only use bananas ripe enough to be peeled by hand
Extract Juice
Use grass to knead the bananas until clear juice is extracted. The residue will remain in the grass.
Mix water
Mix 1:3 water: banana juice ratio.
Mix sorghum
Sorghum flour: banana juice ratio, 1:12. Stir the mixture well. Sorghum is added to improve the color and the flavor of the beer.
Ferment
Ferment in plastic containers covered by polyethene bags. Allow to ferment 18 -24 hours.
Filter
Force the liquid through a cotton cloth bag either by hand or use a press.
Bottle
Place in 1-litre size plastic bottles.
Shelf Life
Several days, refrigerated.
