Description
Traditional fermented liquor made by Mishing tribe etc. in Northeast India Assam state. Mixing/fermenting rice and dozens of medicinal herbs, served in bamboo cylinders (or gourds), yogurt-sour liquor.
Restaurants serving Apong (Assam Bamboo Rice Beer)
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We are researching restaurants that serve this dish.
On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Apong(Rice and medicinal herb fermented liquor)
Instructions
- [For
- Servings/Ingredients] 500ml Apong (Assam's traditional rice fermented liquor),
- bamboo cylinders (or coconut shells, bowls) for serving.
- Village surrounded by lush green in Northeast India Assam state. Take out 'Apong' finished fermenting for days in unglazed pots wrapped in banana leaves in each home's dark cool room.
- Apong has
- types: cloudy 'Nogin Apong' directly fermenting rice, and black 'Poro Apong' fermenting rice scorched pitch-black into ash; this time prepare basic white Nogin Apong.
- As proof of hospitality, line up
- 'special bamboo cylinders' made by diagonally cutting thick bamboo.
- From pot, scoop gooey cloudy liquid mixed with rice grains with dipper, pouring brimmingly into bamboo cylinders.
- Put mouth directly to bamboo cylinder edge, slurping 'zuzu' audibly. Intense yogurt-like 'acidity', rustic rice 'sweetness', and faint grassy medicinal herb aroma spread fully in mouth. ABV is ~5%, easy to drink like beer.
- Pair with Assam-specialty 'Bamboo-baked pork' or 'Spicy wrapped small fish roast'. Highly-sour Apong cleanly washes away pork fat and spice heat—ultimate eco-beer packed with indigenous wisdom.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
None(Medicinal herbs used in fermentation starter)
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Makgeolli (as sub for rice fermented liquor sweetness/acidity)
Pairing
Spicy pork stir-fry、Grilled fish
Trivia
[Hardcore] In indigenous cultures like Mishing tribe of Assam, Apong is not mere liquor but 'offering to gods' and 'symbol of social bonds'. Fermentation starter (E'pob) uses dozens of wild herbs/leaves/bark, bringing unique flavor and 'medicinal effects (fatigue recovery/gastrointestinal adjustment)'. Super health liquor villagers drink daily instead of water to heal farm work fatigue.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Drinking] Drink biting 'little salt' and 'raw red chili' in Apong, getting intoxicated while paralyzing tongue with sour/salty/spicy chaos!
Allergen
None