Thobwa Explained

Thobwa is a Malawian and Zambian fermented drink[1] that has a milky appearance, a cereal taste and a grainy texture.[2] It is made from white maize and millet or sorghum[3] and is popular in all parts of the country.[4] The name thobwa means "sweet beer",[5] and although it is non-alcoholic it can be left for five days and it will turn to mowa or beer.[6]

Preparation

Thobwa is made by boiling water with m'gaiwa (whole grain white maize flour) until it makes phala (porridge).[7] More water is then added and brought to a rolling boil for about 15 minutes.[2] After this the mixture is left to cool until warm and at this point a handful of maŵele (millet flour) is added.[8] This mixture is now left in a mbiya (big clay pot) in a cool place for two days before being served as thobwa.[8]

Drinking and etiquette

Because thobwa is made using maize flour it has a cereal taste and is filling.[9] Many Malawians use this drink as energy for the day and it is sold everywhere out of recycled plastic bottles in the towns/cities, and from clay pots in the villages.[4] Thobwa can be found all year round, however it is mainly served in the hot months (September-November), and is particularly served to welcome guests visiting a compound. Huge quantities of thobwa are consumed at weddings as a celebratory drink.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Towards Defragmenting the Management System of Lake Chilwa Basin, Malawi . 3 September 2014 . 68. 9783643903983 . Mvula . Peter . Kalindekafe . Meya . Kishindo . Paul . Berge . Erling . Njaya . Friday . 2014 . LIT Verlag Münster .
  2. Web site: porkandgin.com.
  3. Book: Kitchens of the World . 102. 9781896182346 . Mackenzie-Smith . Ken . Oxfam-Canada . 1995 . GeneralStore PublishingHouse .
  4. Web site: "Thobwa" Malawi local soft drink. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140903062529/http://canteriointernational.org/blog4/2010/06/15/togba-malawi-local-soft-drink. 2014-09-03.
  5. Book: Peri-Urban Land Transactions . 302. 9789956727599 . Jimu . Ignasio Malizani . 2012 . African Books Collective .
  6. Web site: Thobwa. www.travelmalawiguide.com. 2018-11-09.
  7. Book: Moments That Shaped My Life . 3 September 2014 . 92. 9781449798666 . Banda . Nathan . 19 June 2013 . WestBow Press .
  8. Web site: Local Food - Drinks - The Travel Word. www.thetravelword.com. en-US. 2018-11-09.
  9. Gibson. Rosalind S.. Yeudall. Fiona. Drost. Nancy. Mtitimuni. Beatrice M.. Cullinan. Timothy R.. 2003-11-01. Experiences of a Community-Based Dietary Intervention to Enhance Micronutrient Adequacy of Diets Low in Animal Source Foods and High in Phytate: A Case Study in Rural Malawian Children. The Journal of Nutrition. en. 133. 11. 3992S–3999S. 10.1093/jn/133.11.3992S. 14672301. 0022-3166. free.

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