{"id":"kunu_008961dd9d","slug":"kunu-zaki-spiced-millet-drink","title":"Kunu Zaki (Spiced Millet Drink)","description":"A traditional, creamy, and slightly spicy Nigerian beverage made from nutrient-rich millet, warming ginger, and sweet potatoes. This probiotic drink is both refreshing and satisfying.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":720,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":740,"activeMinutes":40},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"3 cups millet (approx 500g)","name":"Millet","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"whole grain","notes":"Pearl or sprouted millet","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced","name":"Sweet Potatoes","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"peeled and diced","notes":"Can use dried sweet potato chips as well","group":"Sweetener/Flavor","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 inches fresh ginger root","name":"Ginger","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"fresh root","notes":"Approx 50g, peeled","group":"Spice","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 teaspoon cloves","name":"Cloves","quantity":1,"unit":"tsp","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"whole","notes":"Known locally as Konafuru","group":"Spice","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 liters water","name":"Water","quantity":2,"unit":"l","usQuantity":2.1,"usUnit":"quart","form":"liquid","notes":"Divided use","group":"Liquid","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"Sugar or honey to taste","name":"Honey","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"granulated","notes":"To taste; optional if sweet potato is very sweet","group":"Sweetener","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Clean the millet by removing stones and debris. Wash thoroughly with cold water and soak in a large bowl for 12 to 24 hours.","group":"Preparation","title":"Clean the millet","timerMinutes":1440,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Drain the soaking water. Blend the millet with the sweet potato, ginger, and cloves, using a little fresh water to aid the process, until a very smooth paste is formed.","group":"Blending","title":"Drain the soaking water","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Blending"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Divide the blended paste into two unequal parts: about 3/4 in one large bowl and 1/4 in another.","group":"Processing","title":"Divide the blended paste","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Processing"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Bring the remaining water to a rolling boil at 100°C (212°F). Slowly pour the boiling water over the larger portion (3/4) of the paste, stirring constantly until it thickens like a thin pap or porridge.","group":"Cooking","title":"Bring the remaining water","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Allow the thickened mixture to cool down slightly. Add the remaining 1/4 of raw paste to the mixture and stir well. The enzymes in the raw paste will help thin the mixture again.","group":"Processing","title":"Allow the thickened mixture","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Processing"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Cover and let the mixture stand for 5 to 7 hours or overnight to ferment slightly.","group":"Fermentation","title":"Cover and let the mixture stand","timerMinutes":420,"sourceTitle":"Fermentation"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Strain the mixture through a fine sieve or muslin cloth to remove the chaff. Add sugar or honey to taste if desired. Serve chilled.","group":"Finishing","title":"Strain the mixture through a fine sieve or muslin cloth","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Traditional Kunu Zaki uses a natural fermentation process. For a smoother texture, ensure you use a very fine muslin cloth or nut milk bag for straining. The sweet potato acts as a natural sweetener and thickener.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Nigerian"]},"course":["drink"],"cookingMethod":["noCook","boil"],"equipment":["High-speed blender","Large mixing bowls","Muslin cloth or fine sieve","Large pot"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_fat"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":2,"unit":"l","note":"Approximately 8 servings"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The millet must be soaked at least 12 hours in advance. The drink itself can be prepared a day ahead and fermented overnight."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in airtight bottles in the refrigerator. Shake well before serving as sedimentation is natural.","reheatingNotes":"Best served cold. Do not reheat as it may alter the texture."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fkunu_008961dd9d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=bbf47cb3-632f-4390-9aa8-3949efe56385","imageAlt":"Kunu Zaki (Spiced Millet Drink) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["kunu","millet","probiotic","nigerian","drink","spicy","african"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Kunu Zaki (Spiced Millet Drink)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T22:50:22.460Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T22:50:22.460Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_4b0c207f37","slug":"ethiopian-spiced-tea-kemem-shaye","title":"Ethiopian Spiced Tea (Kemem Shaye)","description":"A fragrant and warming traditional Ethiopian tea infused with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ethiopian","Eritrean"]},"course":["drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_4b0c207f37%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7ee7089e-ff3e-4cfc-8db0-b7df6b37f3a7","imageAlt":"Ethiopian Spiced Tea (Kemem Shaye) — recipe cover","tags":["ethiopian","tea","spiced","hot drink","traditional","aromatic"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4},{"id":"recipe_aadeeef779","slug":"maghrebi-mint-tea-shai-bil-na-na","title":"Maghrebi Mint Tea (Shai Bil Na'na)","description":"A sweet, aromatic, and iconic North African green tea infused with fresh mint leaves, known for its digestive benefits and hospitality traditions.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Moroccan","North African"]},"course":["drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_aadeeef779%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=79a6015b-29cb-4b5a-b6f3-5748a40e2125","imageAlt":"Maghrebi Mint Tea (Shai Bil Na'na) — recipe cover","tags":["tea","mint","hot drink","traditional","refreshing","sweet"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":6},{"id":"rooibos_latte_15d7d98a44","slug":"rooibos-latte","title":"Rooibos Latte","description":"A comforting, caffeine-free alternative to traditional coffee lattes, featuring the earthy, sweet notes of South African red tea paired with creamy steamed milk and a hint of honey.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":8,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["South African"]},"course":["drink"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","low_sodium"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frooibos_latte_15d7d98a44%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=93a12940-ec9b-4f73-b836-3e95e6dc8408","imageAlt":"Rooibos Latte — recipe cover","tags":["rooibos","latte","tea","caffeine free","healthy","warm drink"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4}]}