FUEL YOUR DAY WITH KUNU DRINK
Kunu is also known as Kunu Zaki is a popular drink in the Northern part of Nigeria and prepared mostly by the Hausa. Kunu is made from whole grain millet and sometimes corn or sorghum, the variety of the Kunu drink made from sorghum is usually light-brown in color, while the ones made from millet and maize are usually white. There are different varieties of kunu, such as; Kunu zaki (millet), kunun gayamba, Amshau, kunu Aya (Tigernut milk), kunu gyada, kunun akamu, kunun tsamiya, kunun jiko, kunun baule.
The main Ingredient used in preparing Kunu Zaki is millet, millet is very nutritious and has a lot of benefits to human health thus making Kunu drink a healthy dietary drink. Kunu drink has a spicy, nutty flavor and it’s packed with nourishing vitamins and minerals. It is high in fiber and contains high-quality protein content. It contains natural vitamins (A, B, C, D, E) and minerals (Magnesium, Iron, Calcium, Potassium), it’s a rich source of antioxidants and prevents possible heart diseases, etc.
Kunu is made by first allowing the grain seeds to germinate, then soaking in water for a few days and blending the soaked grain with ginger and sweet potatoes to form a smooth paste. Preparation of this drink takes a minimum of 2-3 days because the millet is left to soak in water for the first two days to trigger the process of fermentation.
Kunu Zaki has more polyunsaturated fats (Omega 3 and 6), the calories in Kunu depend on the ingredients used in preparing it. The drink is highly recommended for vegetarians and can be taken with snacks, bread, and any meal of your choice.
Kunu Drink is filled with a lot of health benefits and they are;
- Kunu helps to boost sperm count, which is a common sexual problem in men. It helps boost sperm count because it contains a great amount of vitamin C and an antioxidant which improves blood flow in the body as well as the penile area.
- The ginger content in the Kunu helps to lower the cholesterol level and prevents the formation of blood clots.
- It helps increase the flow of breast milk in nursing mothers.
- It is known to reduce the risk associated with diabetes.
- The key ingredient, millet contains a poly nutrient called lignin. Which has cancer-fighting properties and is beneficial in the treatment of heart diseases.
Recipe for Kunu Zaki
- Millet
- Ginger
- Konofiri (cloves)
- Sweet potato
- Sugar
Steps involved;
- The seeds should be soaked in water for 48 hours to allow the seeds to ferment. The water should be changed every seven (7) hours.
- Wash the seeds thoroughly with clean water after soaking them for two days. Place the millet, ginger, cloves, and sweet potatoes in a blender and blend till you get a smooth paste. Don’t forget to add water while blending.
- The blended paste should be poured into a bowl. Then pour cold water into it so as to make it easier to sieve.
- The sieved liquid should be left to settle for at least 7 hours, by then the clear liquid would be seen above the thick paste. Sieve out the clear liquid leaving the thick paste.
- The thick paste should be divided into two portions. To the first portion add hot water and stir (like the way you prepare pap). Then pour the second portion into the first portion and stir very well. At this stage, you could add the quantity of water you want depending on how thick you want your Kunu to be.
- Add sugar to make it taste sweet and refrigerate.
It tastes delicious right?
Serve your Kunu drink with any meal of your choice and get energized.