Tonto (drink) facts for kids

Tonto is a special traditional drink from Uganda, a country in Africa. It's made from bananas and is also known as mwenge bigere. People make Tonto by letting bananas ripen in a special way, then turning them into a juice that ferments. This means it changes over time, a bit like how bread rises or yogurt gets tangy.

What is Tonto?

Tonto is a popular traditional drink in Uganda. It's made using bananas, which are a very important crop in many parts of the country. This drink is fermented, meaning it goes through a natural process where tiny living things, like yeast, change the sugars in the banana juice into other things. It's a significant part of the culture and economy in banana-growing areas.

How is Tonto Made?

Making Tonto is a careful process that takes several days. It starts with green bananas, which are not yet ripe.

Step 1: Ripening the Bananas

First, green bananas are placed in a pit in the ground. This pit is often lined to keep the bananas clean. The bananas stay there for a few days to ripen. This special way of ripening helps them develop the right flavor and sweetness needed for the drink.

Step 2: Extracting the Juice

Once the bananas are perfectly ripe, their juice is extracted. This means the liquid is squeezed out of the bananas. After the juice is collected, it is filtered to remove any bits of fruit or other impurities. Then, clean water is added to dilute the juice, making it ready for the next step.

Step 3: Adding Sorghum and Fermentation

After the banana juice is prepared, a special ingredient is added: ground and roasted sorghum. Sorghum is a type of grain. This mixture of banana juice and sorghum is then left to ferment. This fermentation process usually takes about two to four days. During this time, the mixture slowly changes, developing its unique taste and characteristics.

Alcohol Content of Tonto

Tonto is a traditional fermented drink. It naturally contains alcohol, which is a result of the fermentation process. The amount of alcohol in Tonto can vary, usually ranging from six to eleven percent by volume.

Tonto and the Economy

Making Tonto is more than just a tradition; it's also a way for many families in Uganda to earn money. In the central and western parts of Uganda, where bananas grow in abundance, producing Tonto provides a source of income. This helps support families and local communities.