Merisa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Merisa, merissa or marissa is a traditional fermented beverage popular in South Sudan.

It is made by Sudanese women as a source of income.[1] Merisa is made by brewing dates, millet and sorghum. The brewing process has been described as complex by Western beer making standards with over a dozen steps.[2] Merisa has an 8-10 hour fermentation process and has an alcohol content of up to 6%.[3]

It is illegal to drink or sell Marissa in Northern Sudan under Muslim Sharia laws, under penalty of 40 lashes, fines and imprisonment.[4]

Baboons in Sudan are known to drink merisa when offered.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ "South Sudan - Malakal - The article - Let's meet on earth". Letsmeetonearth.org. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  2. ^ "Characteristics of African traditional beers brewed with sorghum malt: a review | Université de Liège". Popups.ulg.ac.be. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  3. ^ "Microsoft Word - sudan.doc" (PDF). Who.int. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  4. ^ Rebecca Hamilton (2010-10-12). "South Sudanese Harassed Brewing Traditional Drink". Pulitzer Center. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
  5. ^ Our Day. 1900. p. 85. Retrieved 2017-04-26.
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