Traditional Balkan Fermented Boza Drink
Boza, also bosa, bozo is a fermented beverage popularly made in parts of North Africa, Central and Western Asia, Caucasus and Southeast Europe. It is a malt drink made by fermenting various grains: maize (corn) and wheat in Turkey, wheat or millet in Bulgaria and Romania, and barley in Ancient Egypt. The most traditional way to make Boza in the Balkans is with corn. It has a sweet and tangy flavor that you can't get enough of.
Ingredients:
500 gr. corn flour
5 gr. dry yeast
5 liters warm water
Sugar to taste
Start making Boza two days before you plan to drink it.
Day 1 Evening
In a big pot, mix the corn flour and the warm water. Cover and let it sit overnight.
Day 2
Morning
Place the pot over medium to low heat and cook for approximately about 2 hours, mixing it often with a wooden spoon. Remove the mixture from heat and let it cool at room temperature until evening.
Evening
In a separate container, dissolve dry yeast with 3 Tbsp of warm water and let it rise for about 10 minutes. Add the yeast to the cooked corn mixture, cover, and let it sit until the next day.
Day 3
Boza is ready! Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth, add sugar to your taste, mix well, fill your bottles and refrigerate. You can also add flavorings like vanilla extract and cinnamon once it is strained. Serve very cold.
Tag us on Instagram @balkanbitesnyc and let us know what you think! Our Boza is the perfect drink to pair with our savory Burek. Head on over to our Shop to order some Burek for the perfect meal.
Balkan Bites is a female and family owned business that specializes in wholesome Southeast European comfort foods such as Burek, a flaky stuffed phyllo swirl. With our dedication to premium ingredients and authentic recipes, we aim to make our cuisine accessible to all.
