Coconut toddy left to ferment for a day or two into a sour cloudy beer. Sweet toddy turns fast in atoll heat, and the resulting sour toddy is Kiribati’s traditional alcohol — restricted by island bylaws in many places.
It ferments on the tree in the collecting bottle, and many island councils in Kiribati restrict or ban it under local bylaws; there is no preparation to describe.
What goes into it
- coconut palm sap
- nothing else
How it is made
The tapper binds and cuts the coconut flower spathe and collects the dripping sap twice a day in a bottle tied to the tree. Left in the container in atoll heat, wild yeasts ferment it within a day into a sour, cloudy, moderately alcoholic drink. Fresh sweet toddy is a different thing and is drunk as it comes.
How long it takes: one to two days in the container
How it is eaten
From a bottle or a cup; sweet toddy is drunk fresh or boiled down to syrup instead.
History
Sweet toddy ferments quickly in atoll heat; the resulting sour toddy is Kiribati’s traditional alcohol and is restricted by island bylaws.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kaokioki?
Kaokioki is a wine & spirit from Kiribati: coconut toddy left to ferment for a day or two into a sour cloudy beer. Sweet toddy ferments quickly in atoll heat; the resulting sour toddy is Kiribati’s traditional alcohol and is restricted by island bylaws.
How is Kaokioki made?
The tapper binds and cuts the coconut flower spathe and collects the dripping sap twice a day in a bottle tied to the tree. Left in the container in atoll heat, wild yeasts ferment it within a day into a sour, cloudy, moderately alcoholic drink. Fresh sweet toddy is a different thing and is drunk as it comes. It takes one to two days in the container.
Can I make Kaokioki at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. It ferments on the tree in the collecting bottle, and many island councils in Kiribati restrict or ban it under local bylaws; there is no preparation to describe.
What goes into Kaokioki?
Coconut palm sap, nothing else.
How is Kaokioki eaten?
From a bottle or a cup; sweet toddy is drunk fresh or boiled down to syrup instead.
