How to Make Sahou, One of Belize’s Iconic Refreshments

December 30, 2024
by roshesgodfrey@gmail.com +

Whether you spell it sahou or sahau, one taste of this unique cassava drink from Belize will have you begging for more. This particular concoction is a staple of menus and street vendors throughout southeastern Belize and here are two samples of what it takes to make. Note that sahou is often served in the morning as it is robust enough to reinvigorate someone suffering from a hangover. Cassava is a staple food crop of the local Garifuna people and thus it is a crucial component in any respectable sahou.

Recipe #1
Ingredients

Advertisment

Cassava. Either 1 pound of the melon or 1/4 cup of cassava starch.
Coconut, one
Liquid, 2 cups. Either water or coconut milk.
Cinnamon, 1/4 tsp
Nutmeg, 1/4 tsp
Vanilla, 1 tsp
Other sweeteners like sugar, honey, or agave nectar, as you wish.

Directions

Grate cassava. Add 2-3 cups of water and then strain into a pot. You only need the strained liquid.
If making your own coconut milk, grate the coconut, add 2-3 cups of water, and strain into a separate container. If you are using premade coconut milk, leave it alone for now.
Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and cinnamon to the pot.
Cook over low heat, giving the mixture constant stirring.
Whether you made or purchased it, add your coconut milk to the pot.
Continue stirring the mixture until it reaches your desired consistency.
Add any other sweeteners you prefer at this time.
Serve your sahou. You can either serve it hot or cold, either pouring it into a glass to be drunken or doled out into a bowl to be consumed like porridge.

Recipe #2
Ingredients

Cassava, sweet, 2 lbs.
Milk, evaporated, 12 oz.
Milk, condensed, 6 oz.
Vanilla, 1 tsp.
Kola champagne syrup, 2 tsp.
Coconut milk powder, 1/2 sachet.
Cinnamon, 1 tsp.
Salt, pinch.

Directions

Peel, waste, grate and strain the cassava into a pot.
Place the pot over medium heat and stir in everything but the condensed and evaporated milk until the mix thickens up.
Finish by adding the milk, stirring, and taking the pot off the heat.