Mageu

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A carton of mageu, with some poured into a glass

Mageu, maHewu, amaRhewu (isiZulu spelling) or amaHewu (isiXhosa spelling) is a traditional South African non-alcoholic drink among many of the Nguni people made from fermented mealie pap. Home production is still widely practised, but the drink is also available at many supermarkets, being produced at factories (e.g. [1], [2],[3]). Its taste is derived predominantly from the lactic acid that is produced during fermentation, but commercial mageu is often flavoured, much in the way commercially available yoghurt is. Similar beverages are also made in other parts of Africa.

[edit] Fermentation Process

Thin mealie pap is prepared, to which wheat flour is added, providing the inoculum of lactate-producing bacteria. The mixture is left to ferment, typically in a warm area. Pasteurization is done in commercial operations to extend shelf-life.

[edit] Nutrition

Nutritionally, it is similar to its parent mealie meal, but with the glucose changed to lactate during fermentation. Commercial preparations are often enriched (In South Africa, the term fortification is only allowed legally for specific, government-sanctioned nutrition programs, e.g. that of bread) with vitamins and minerals. Although typically considered non-alcoholic, very small amounts (less than 1%) of Ethanol have been reported as a contaminant. Legally, to be termed Mageu in South Africa an alcohol content of less than 1% is required.