| On average, the human body is 70% water and we | | | | safe to drink, a way of rendering potentially lethal |
| require between 1 and 7 litres of water every day to | | | | water safe. |
| prevent rehydration with typical intake recommenced | | | | What this means that we, today have a vast array of |
| to be about one litre. Today, with plumbing and water | | | | possible drinks available to us, both alcoholic and |
| treatment water is safe to drink for all but 1 billion | | | | non-alcoholic. Below are two recipes for classic |
| humans (who still have to rely on unsafe water). But, in | | | | examples of such drinks. |
| the past, everyone had to rely on unsafe water. As a | | | | Jus de Fruit |
| result different civilizations developed different ways | | | | This is a classic recipe, originating from Chad, Central |
| for making their drinking water safe. | | | | Africa for an iced fruit an milk drink that's lightly spiced. |
| The most notable difference can be seen between | | | | Ingredients: |
| North Africa/Europe and East Asia. We know that the | | | | 1 mango (or 300g of any combination of mango, |
| Egyptians developed brewing and that brewed wheat | | | | orange, pineapple, guava and papaya) |
| was a staple of their diet. This brewing spread through | | | | 500ml whole milk |
| North Africa and south across the Sahara, often with | | | | 3 tbsp honey |
| millet being substituted for wheat. In Europe there was | | | | 6 ice cubes |
| brewing both of honey to form mead and of grains to | | | | 1/4 tsp cardamom powder |
| make beer. Brewing renders water safe in that the | | | | Method: |
| water is boiled before mashing the grains and after the | | | | Crush the ice in a blender then peel and chop the fruit |
| brewing process the alcohol in the beer keeps the | | | | before adding to the ice. Blend the fruit until smooth |
| drink safe. Indeed, from Celtic times through to | | | | then add the milk, honey and cardamom powder. Blend |
| Elizabethan times beer was the staple, safe, drink for | | | | until thoroughly mixed then serve in tall glasses over |
| almost everyone in Europe. | | | | crushed ice. |
| In East Asia a different approach evolved. Again, | | | | Lemongrass Tea |
| water was boiled to render it safe, but it was made | | | | This is an Asian drink that's also popular in West |
| into an infusion with aromatic plant leaves; and thus tea | | | | Africa. |
| evolved. This difference in approaches to rendering | | | | Ingredients: |
| water safe to drink may explain why alcohol | | | | 140g chopped lemongrass stalk |
| intolerance is more common in Asiatic populations. | | | | 500ml water |
| A further cultural change in Arabic peoples with the | | | | 50g ginger, pounded in a pestle and mortarsugar, to |
| advent of Islam led to the consumption of alcohol being | | | | taste (optional)milk (typically condensed milk), optional |
| viewed in a negative light and the rise of another kind | | | | Method: |
| of infusion in boiled water. That of a bitter Ethiopian | | | | Place the lemongrass in a teapot and pour the boiling |
| bean coffee. | | | | water over them. Allow to steep for five minutes, |
| Other mixes of herbs and spices have also been used | | | | agitating the pot every now and then. Pour into cups or |
| to flavour boiled water. Ginger being a good example | | | | glasses and serve. This can be drunk as it is or it can |
| and various fruit juices and infusions are also made. All | | | | be sweetened with sugar or it can also be served |
| these drinks are, ultimately, a quest to find something | | | | with a little condensed milk. |