Lahang facts for kids
A glass of street side lahang
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| Course | Beverage |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Indonesia |
| Region or state | West Java |
| Serving temperature | Cold |
| Main ingredients | Sap of Arenga pinnata |
Lahang is a traditional sweet and cold drink from West Java, Indonesia. It is made from the natural sap of the Arenga pinnata tree, also known as the sugar palm or aren tree. This refreshing drink is well-known in Indonesia, especially among the Sundanese people of West Java. Many consider it a natural isotonic drink, similar to sports drinks that help you rehydrate.
How Lahang is Made
Lahang comes from tapping aren or sugar palm trees. Tapping means carefully collecting the sap from the tree. The sap is collected from the male flowers of the aren plants.
Collecting the Sap
To keep the sap fresh, farmers often start tapping very early in the morning. Arenga trees need to be at least five years old to be ready for tapping. Collecting the sap from an aren tree requires special skills. Before attaching a tube to collect the sap, the male flower cob must be cleaned well. This cleaning helps to avoid any dirt or impurities getting into the sap.
What Happens to the Sap
The sweet sap slowly drips into bamboo containers. After some time, the farmers collect the sap. If the sugar palm sap is left out in the open air for too long, it can start to ferment. When this happens, the sap liquid will turn sour and can become vinegar.
Where to Find Lahang
The sweet-tasting sap is usually mixed with ice before it is served. Iced lahang is often sold as a refreshing street drink. You might see it sold in large bamboo tubes.
Lahang is often made alongside other products from the aren tree. These include gula aren (palm sugar), which is a type of sugar, and dodol sweets. All these delicious items come from the versatile aren tree.
