Tongba – A millet alcoholic beverage of Sikkim
Wednesday, August 1, 2018 IST
Tongba is a millet-based alcoholic beverage found in Sikkim and the far eastern mountainous region of Nepal and the neighbouring Darjeeling region.
Directions:
1). The word “Tongba” is actually referred to the vessel which holds the fermented alcoholic beverage known as Jaand. Jaand is prepared by cooking and fermenting whole grain millet. The cooked millet is cooled and mixed with Murcha (which is a source of molds, bacteria and yeast). Then the mass is collected and placed in a woven bamboo basket lined with green leaves or plastic, covered with thick fold of cloth and allowed to remain in a warm place for 1–2 days depending upon the temperature.
2). The sweet mass is then packed tightly into an earthenware pot or plastic jars and the opening is usually sealed off to prevent air from entering.
3). Traditionally, it is stored for about six months. It is consumed in a unique way; the fermented millet is put into a container, called a Tongba, and boiled water is poured in it to the brim. It is then left undisturbed for about five minutes before it is ready to drink; a fine bamboo straw with a blind end, but perforated on the side to act as a filter, is inserted into the container to suck out the warm water and alcohol from the millet grains. More hot water is added as the Tongba becomes dry, and the process is repeated until the alcohol is exhausted.
Related Topics
Related News & Articles
The Food and Beverage Alliance of India (FBAI) published a pledge by all its member companies, under the patronage of a global self-regulatory alliance of foods and...
Recently posted . 932 views . 56 min read
Few varieties of millets are plentily available in India
Recently posted . 684 views . 0 min read
These traditional Indian liquors in India are brewed at home with a flavour you'll never find anywhere else!
Recently posted . 1K views . 1 min read
Starbucks goes upscale with $10 coffee Starbucks goes upscale with $10 coffee
Starbucks sees food innovation and its cold espresso beverag...
Recently posted . 732 views . 46 min read
Understand that every millet needs a proper soaking time of minimum 6-8 hours. So, plan your menu and make sure you soak your millets every day
Recently posted . 845 views . 1 min read
Trending News & Articles
Lung cancer is usually not noticeable during the early stages. Most people are diagnosed when the disease is at an advanced stage. According to Cancer.org, it is ...
Recently posted . 7K views . 2 min read
The health benefits of wood apple include [1] relief from constipation, indigestion, peptic ulcer, piles, respiratory problems, diarrhea, and dysentery. It also b...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
Bael, also known as the “Wood Apple”, is a species native to India. The bael tree is considered to be sacred to the Hindus. A famous drink known as sh...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
Do you know what milia are? Milia is a skin condition which causes the appearance of small white hard bumps on the skin which usually appear on the face, neck or ch...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
More in Food & Health
A study warns that babies’ exposure to high levels of air pollution in the womb may lead to DNA damage, typically associated with ageing.
Recently posted. 1K views . 1 min read
Around 6,000 medicine brands with a combined market size of Rs 2,000-2,500 crore may soon vanish from the drug market in the country.
...
Recently posted. 871 views . 1 min read
Ladies, it’s time to reconsider aluminium foils for food packaging and look out for other alternatives to keep your food fresh and warm.
Recently posted. 859 views . 1 min read
Recently posted . 811 views
Recently posted . 851 views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views . 132 min read
Recently posted . 1K views . 117 min read
In the next decade or so, a lot of individuals all over the world needing organ donors would die, because there is a shortage. Unless something miraculous turns u...
Recently posted. 891 views . 2 min read
Smoking of “shisha” and excessive alcohol intake have been identified as rising causes of breast cancer among the young people in the country, Preside...
Recently posted. 1K views . 1 min read