KENYAN DRINKS

It is a norm to serve hot drinks to visitors, at least for the Kenyan community. The said visitors are not restricted but include acquaintances, family, neighbours, or even a random friendly guy who is a friend of a friend. Like when my mum or dad would insist on Tea whenever someone visited. And the longevity of the visitors’ stay directly influenced the number of times you had to cook a fresh thermos of Tea. We loved it because there had to be an accompaniment, mainly bread, scones or biscuits when there was Tea. I did not care about the drinks, if I’m being honest, but I loved the compliments. Things, however, have changed in my case; serve me Tea any day, anytime!

Forget visitors; my parents loved Tea. After dinner, there had to be Tea or something warm to sip while contemplating and resting from the everyday hustle and bustle of a busy Nairobi life. Something I also observed with my aunties and uncles. My mum used to say it was an ” Old people thing” I believe her now.

Besides the everyday home setting, hotels, offices, churches, and gatherings filled with a bit of chit-chat serve popular Kenyan drinks. The type of gathering or the accompaniment influences the kind of drink served. For example, strong Tea will be the norm in large groups since it is cheap and cooks quickly, whereas a rich milk tea will be served in small meetings like home visits. On a hot day, a cold sugarcane drink does the trick. And a spicy Masala tea every day of the week. You’ll also find me sampling different kinds of Dawa served in every restaurant across Nairobi. It’s a miracle drink of the Kenyan community.

If you are lucky enough to visit Kenya, these are the most common Kenyan drinks you should or will encounter.

LIST OF POPULAR KENYAN DRINKS

1. SPICY MASALA TEA

Tea is a standard drink in Kenya, as it should be. If you travel across Rift valley, captivating large beautiful tea farms will run from hill to hill. Like a beautiful green carpet dotted with busy Tea pickers. On rare occasions, they will wave back but don’t take it personally the total output directly affects their earnings.

Spicy masala tea is made by boiling milk and water and then flavouring it with a Kenyan spiced tea pack. Primarily known as Masala tea, the package contains a mix of Tea, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and pepper. Most Kenyans own a thermos to keep spicy masala tea hot throughout the day for their disposal.

2. STRONG TEA

Just as the name suggests, strong Tea is black with only water and Tea. Strong Tea in Kenya can be consumed plain, an essential mix of tea leaves and water, or spiced with ginger, cinnamon, masala tea spice or lemon. Kenyans mainly drink strong Tea in three instances; first, for cost lookouts. It is cheap since it only needs cheap, readily available ingredients. Thus you will find it being served in large crowds when there is a need to cut costs, in public institutions or even in homes.

Second, strong Tea accompanies familiar Kenyan dishes like Githeri, Muthokoi and sometimes ugali. Thirdly, strong Tea is perfect for vegans or people who dislike milk in Tea.

3. SUGARCANE JUICE

Sugarcane primarily grows in the western part of Kenya and is a popular Kenyan grass sold at local fruit vendors. Consuming sugarcane is mainly by chewing the hard part of the stem and throwing out the pulp, which may sound repulsive to a no Kenyan. But every bite and squeeze is worth it. Not only is it thoroughly nutritious, but chewing sugarcane cleans teeth, thus improving teeth health. A common belief yet to be proven by science.

A more recent way of indulging in sugar cane is by drinking freshly squeezed juice. In association with a more recent invention of the Cane Juice squeezing machine. A mechanical machine that presses into the hard sugarcane stem, completely draining it of its juices. Fresh sugarcane juice sells for as low as 50 bob/ 0.5 dollars for every 100 ml in most fruit vendors across Kenya.

4. FRESH COCONUT JUICE

Otherwise known as Maji ya Mnazi. You will find fresh coconut juice in the coastal regions of Kenya. If you are lucky enough to tour the beautiful beaches of Mombasa and Lamu, you will not miss the heavily pregnant coconut trees with ready coconut fruits. A very kind beach boy or vendor will cut the top part of a ripened coconut at lightning speed, insert a straw and Yipee, fresh coconut juice. For a few shillings, of course.

5. PORRIDGE

Most Kenyans will swear that porridge is a homemade medicine that contributes to the healing process of different ailments. Kenyans are pros at maximising, and the vast millet-growing farms have contributed to porridge being a staple drink in almost every household.

Traditional Kenyan porridge is made by boiling a mix of hot water and millet flour. However, Kenyans don’t stop at that; millet flour is combined with different kinds of flour for maximum nutrition. Examples are Sardine porridge flour, which contains a mix of millet flour and sardine flour. Another example is nut and vegetable porridge flour, which includes a blend of millet flour, nutritious herb flour and nut flour. The different flour mix ensures a vitamin intake of good oils and vitamins all in one cup. For these reasons, porridge is mainly for people undergoing liquid diets, tiny growing babies or the sick. It’s a miracle, curing, healthy, tasty drink besides the ”Dawa.”

6. DAWA

Dawa is the Swahili name for medicine, a popular Kenyan drink besides spiced masala tea. It is made by boiling lemon and water, with lots of ginger and honey. Kenyans will take this drink when searching for quick relief, especially from the common cold. The degree of spiciness is most dependable with tolerance, although most Kenyans prefer an excellent old burn. It is a common belief that the spicier the Dawa, the more effective it will be.

Most Dawa baristas swear by a secret ingredients. This is why although it has a specific taste, sometimes you will find some cups with an added extra ingredient which makes it better. Or maybe, it’s not an ingredient but the charm of the person making it.