Asana is a delicious Ghanaian beverage made from fermented corn or millet. It’s a refreshing and slightly sour drink that is popular in many parts of Ghana. Here’s a recipe for making Asana:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fermented corn dough or millet dough (known as “bruwaa” in Ghana)
- 2-3 cups water
- Sugar or honey, to taste (optional)
- A pinch of salt (optional)
- Flavorings (optional) like ginger, pineapple, or vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Prepare the Fermented Corn or Millet Dough:
- To make asana, you’ll need fermented corn or millet dough, which can be obtained from an African or Ghanaian market. If you can’t find it, you can try making it at home, but it’s a somewhat complex process. To do this, mix cornmeal or millet flour with water, allow it to ferment for a few days, then let it dry. This step is traditionally time-consuming, so buying it pre-made is recommended.
- Prepare the Asana Drink: a. In a large bowl, break the fermented corn or millet dough into smaller pieces.b. Add 2-3 cups of water to the bowl. The amount of water you use will depend on how thick you want your asana to be. You can adjust the water quantity to your preference later.c. Mix the dough and water together, ensuring there are no lumps. The mixture should be smooth.d. Cover the bowl and let it sit at room temperature for about 24-48 hours, allowing the mixture to ferment. During this time, it will develop a slightly sour taste and become slightly bubbly.e. After the fermentation period, give the mixture a good stir.f. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth into another container to remove any solid particles, leaving you with a smooth liquid. You may need to use your hand to help strain it effectively.g. Sweeten the asana with sugar or honey to taste, if desired. You can also add a pinch of salt for balance.h. If you’d like, you can add flavorings like ginger, pineapple juice, or a touch of vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
- Serve Asana:
- Asana is traditionally served chilled. You can refrigerate it for a few hours before serving or add ice cubes.
- Enjoy:
- Pour your homemade Asana into glasses and enjoy this refreshing and slightly sour Ghanaian beverage.
Asana is a versatile drink, and you can adjust the sweetness and flavorings to suit your taste. It’s a great way to experience a traditional Ghanaian beverage.