Kunu (also known as kununzaki) is a popular drink consumed throughout Nigeria, mostly in the north. It is usually made from a grain such as millet or sorghum, although it can be made from maize as well.
The variety of the drink made from sorghum is a milky light-brown colour, whilst that which is made from millet and maize is whitish in colour.
Kunu is made by first allowing the grain seeds to germinate, then soaking the seeds in water for a few days and blending the soaked grain with sweet potatoes and ginger or pepper to form a smooth paste.
This paste is then divided into two parts. One part is placed in a vessel and has boiling water poured on it, then it is stirred to give a thick mixture. The other part of the paste is then added to this mixture and it is stirred some more.
The mixture is then left for a day or two for the grain husk to settle. After this, the husk and other sediment are filtered out of the mixture, and the filtered liquid is bottled for consumption.
Preparations
a. Pick stones from the millet and wash. Soak for 10 hours in cold water (preferably overnight).
b. Wash the millet in the morning with clean water, add ginger, sweet potatoes and blend.
c. Reserve one cup from the paste and set aside. Boil 2 litres of water and prepare the remaining paste like pap.
d. Allow cooling, then pour the reserved 1 cup inside the mixture and stir properly. Cover it and let it stay till evening.
e.Filter the mixture with sieve to remove the chaff.
f. Mix with sugar and refrigerate.
Best served chilled.
Health benefits of Kunu drink
According to healthdiaries.com, millet contains a polynutrient called lignan,
which has cancer fighting properties and is beneficial in the treatment of heart disease.
1. It is also known to reduce the risks associated with diabetes.
2. Kunu is good for women that have reached the stage of menopause as it helps them relax their muscles.
3. It is also recommended for nursing mothers as it helps increase the flow of their milk.
4. Due to the ginger content, it lowers the cholesterol level and prevents the formation of blood cloths.
5. It contains fibre, thus helping to promote a healthy digestive system.
Kunu helps in the prevention of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
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