A fermented — and in some places distilled — sugarcane drink from Equatorial Guinea, made from cane planted on the colonial estates. It is the island alcohol poured for guests and drunk at celebrations.
Producing alcohol at home is licensed or restricted almost everywhere, and the distilled form additionally requires a still and a cut that unlicensed production does not make.
What goes into it
- sugarcane juice
- water
- sometimes yeast
How it is made
Cane is crushed and the juice left in a covered vessel to ferment on the wild yeasts already on it, giving a cloudy, sweet-sour drink within a few days. Where it is distilled, that fermented juice is run through a simple still to make a clear spirit of the same name.
How long it takes: two to five days to ferment; longer if it is then distilled
How it is eaten
From a glass or a bottle at celebrations, and poured for arriving guests.
History
Distilled or fermented from sugarcane planted on colonial estates, it is the island alcohol drunk at celebrations and poured for guests.
Frequently asked questions
What is Malamba?
Malamba is a wine & spirit from Equatorial Guinea: fermented sugarcane drink. Distilled or fermented from sugarcane planted on colonial estates, it is the island alcohol drunk at celebrations and poured for guests.
How is Malamba made?
Cane is crushed and the juice left in a covered vessel to ferment on the wild yeasts already on it, giving a cloudy, sweet-sour drink within a few days. Where it is distilled, that fermented juice is run through a simple still to make a clear spirit of the same name. It takes two to five days to ferment; longer if it is then distilled.
Can I make Malamba at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. Producing alcohol at home is licensed or restricted almost everywhere, and the distilled form additionally requires a still and a cut that unlicensed production does not make.
What goes into Malamba?
Sugarcane juice, water, sometimes yeast.
How is Malamba eaten?
From a glass or a bottle at celebrations, and poured for arriving guests.
