Amarhewu, or as its also called, Mahewu is a fermented Bantu corn drink.
It has a very sour taste and takes a bit of getting used to. Some people call it a beer, while others refer to it as a porridge. In my opinion, the name depends on how long the stuff's left to ferment.
Sometimes, the drink may be sweetened with bananas, etc. but this is the 'authentic' recipe.
Nelson Mandela described his favorite meal as being a freshly slaughtered sheep washed down with a bowl of Amarhewu!
Ingredients:
2lb Cornmeal
2.5 Gallons Water
1/2lb Wheat Flour
Preparation:
1. Boil the cornmeal in the water for about 2 hours.
2. Mix in the wheat flour
3. pour mixture into a container witha lid (not sealed)
4. Leave in a dark place for 2 days
The mixture may be drunk after 2 days as it will have developed its distinctive sour taste, but it will increase in 'flavour' and potency for up to a week.
Interestingly, in South America, Mahewu is a form of lemonade