~140 cal · 2g protein · 32g carbs · 1g fat (estimated, per serving)
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Glass of thick pale maize drink
🇿🇼 Harare
Maheu (or mahewu) is a thin, lightly fermented maize-meal drink found across Southern Africa and beloved in Zimbabwe. Made from leftover porridge soured overnight and sweetened, it is thick enough to be a snack in itself, quenching the thirst of farm workers and city commuters alike.
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🥕 Vegetarian
🌱 Vegan
🌾 Gluten-Free
🥛 Dairy-Free
🥜 Nut-Free
🥚 Egg-Free
Ingredients
Serves 6 —
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1 cup maize meal
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8 cups water
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2 tbsp a little wheat flour or malt (to start fermentation)
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1/3 cup sugar, to taste
Instructions
1
Whisk the maize meal into 2 cups cold water, then stir into 6 cups boiling water and cook 10 minutes into a thin porridge.
2
Cool to lukewarm, then stir in the flour or malt to kick off fermentation.
3
Cover and leave in a warm place 1–2 days until pleasantly sour.
4
Sweeten to taste, thin with water to a pourable drink, and serve cool.
Zimbabwean home and street tradition.
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🌏 While it simmers — know your destination
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Harare. The capital’s tables built on sadza and garden greens.
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Zimbabwe. Sadza country, where greens meet peanut butter.
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Africa. Fifty-four countries of tagines, stews, and fire-kissed grills.
The story behind this dish is up top — worth a read while the pot works.
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Richard Moore & Kelsey Tucker
Recipes cooked, tested, and researched by the creators of Spin the Globe. How we build our recipes →
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