Methods of preparation of Swazi traditional fermented foods

Abstract

BackgroundFermentation is an age old technique of preserving food in many communities. A wide range of fermented products are prepared by varying the types of raw materials, utensils, and fermentation times. Several fermented foods are consumed in Swaziland. A survey of the types of fermented foods, preparation methods, and utensils used was done in the Hhohho region of Swaziland. The current study aimed at documenting the preparation methods of emahewu, emasi, umcombotsi, and buganu at household levels. MethodsDetailed fermentation steps were documented for umcombotsi, emahewu, buganu, and emasi. Five constituencies, called tinkhundla, were randomly selected from the 14 found in the Hhohho region of Swaziland. At each inkhundla, households that were known to regularly prepare the fermented foods were identified with the assistance of local community leaders and were interviewed. A semistructured questionnaire was used for the face-to-face interviews. ResultsWith respect to preparation procedures and practices, all respondents indicated that they had prepared different fermented foods at one time or another. The most commonly prepared and readily available fermented foods were umcombotsi (alcoholic beverage), emahewu (nonalcoholic beverage), buganu (marula wine), and emasi (spontaneously fermented milk). Both men and women indicated that they prepared umcombotsi, and only women reported that they prepared emahewu, buganu, and emasi. Umcombotsi was mainly prepared for sale, while buganu, emahewu, and emasi were for sale as well as for household consumption. Umcombotsi was mostly prepared by mixing maize meal, unmilled sorghum malt (magayiwe), and brown sugar (3 kg) in water (20 L). The initial stage involved cooking the mixture to gelatinize the starch, followed by fermentation at ambient temperature (25–30°C) for about 72 hours. The whole preparation process takes about 4–5 days. Emahewu was prepared by mixing maize meal (1 kg) with water (5 L) and cooking to make a soft porridge. The cooled porridge was left to ferment at room temperature. Some reported adding sugar or a peeled potato to aid the fermentation process. Emasi was prepared by letting raw milk to naturally ferment at room temperature (25–30°C) in either metal or plastic containers (buckets) for 2–3 days. Buganu was prepared from marula fruit (amaganu) juice and pulp mixed with water (10 L) and sugar (2 kg). The mixture was allowed to ferment at ambient temperature for about 3 days, sieved, and then served. ConclusionUmcombotsi, emahewu, buganu, and emasi were the fermented foods commonly prepared at a household level in the Hhohho region, Swaziland. The main ingredient used for preparing umcombotsi and emahewu was maize meal. Unmilled sorghum malt was also added during preparation of umcombotsi. However, typically no malt was added during the preparation of emahewu. Buganu and emasi also play an important role in the diet and socioeconomic activities of the population in Swaziland.