Palm wine is an alcoholic beverage that is the most popular in Africa and parts of Asia. Although it’s called wine, it is not produced with grapes, it’s not left to ferment for as long as other varieties of wine, and it doesn’t have a similar alcohol content.
Regardless of all the differences with other types of alcohol and specifically the different varieties of wine, palm wine is growing in popularity worldwide. It’s an exotic wine drink that more adventurous people looking for unique experiences want to try. And if you have a restaurant business, you should take full advantage of that.
If you want to learn about this unique beverage, you should read the following sections where we will explain what it is, what types there are, the health benefits people can reap from palm wine and more. Let’s jump right into it!
What Is Palm Wine?
Palm wine is an alcoholic drink that’s produced from the sap of various palm trees. They could be palmyra, date palms, and coconut palms. Palm wine is known by different names in different regions. It’s a well-known drink in parts of the Caribbean region, South America, Africa, South Asia, and Micronesia.
Palm Wine Tapping
Palm wine is produced from the sap of the palm tree. It is extracted and then collected by a tapper. Typically the sap is collected from the cut flower of the palm tree. The palm farmers place a container on the stump and collect sap this way.
The palm sap is a white liquid that’s initially very sweet. However, it doesn’t contain any alcohol before it goes through the fermentation process. The other way to collect sap is by felling the entire tree. If this is the method used by the farmer, a fire is lit at the cut end of the palm to help collect the sap.
The sap starts fermenting immediately after it has been collected. This is because of the natural yeasts in the air. In about two hours, the fermentation makes an aromatic wine with 4% ABV. The palm wine at this stage is mildly intoxicating and also sweet.
The wine can be allowed to ferment for longer, which is usually up to a day. When it’s done, the taste is more sour and has an acidic taste, which many people prefer.
Palm Wine Distillation
The original palm wine doesn’t go through a distillation process. However, it can be distilled to make other, stronger drinks. Similar to how brandy is produced.
The spirits made out of palm wine have different names depending on the region of production. Here are some popular palm wine spirits that you can hear about:
- Arrack
- Palm feni (liquor)
- Sopi
- Village gin
- Charayam
- Country whiskey
There are also a few countries that have their own names for palm wine. They are:
- Southwest Nigeria and part of Cameroon - Emu or Matango
- Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo - nsámbá
- Southern Ghana - akpeteshi or burukutu
- Ivory Coast - koutoukou
- Phillippines - lambanog
- Togo and Benin - sodabe
- Tunisia - lagmi
- Coastal part of Kenya - mnazi
- India - toddy
Palm Wine’s Shelf Life
Palm wine has a really short shelf life. Only a day following the tapping, it becomes a strong vinegar. That’s why it needs to be consumed as soon as possible.
But this unique beverage is something wine enthusiasts from the United States wanted to taste on their local grounds. Unlike regular wines, palm wine can be produced in a matter of hours. It’s very different from grape wine because of its sweet and yeasty, but also milky and sour flavor.
Although there are plenty of health benefits to drinking wine, you should keep in mind that the consumption of alcohol overall is decreasing. Lots of young people have changed their lifestyles in recent years and they don’t drink as strong drinks as they used to.
That’s why this is an ideal moment to include palm wine on your beverage menu in the United States. Palm wine has a lower alcohol percentage and a unique taste. Now some brands create bottled palm wine that can be enjoyed days from the the time it was first made. What you need to ensure, however, is proper wine storage.
What Are the Different Types of Palm Wine?
Palm wine, which is also known as palm sap or palm toddy, is a beverage made from the sap of different palm trees. Although it’s not common in North America or Europe, it can be found in many other places.
If you are interested to know more about the different types of palm wine you can drink in different parts of the world, read the list below. We share a little bit of information about each type of palm wine.
- Toddy in India - Toddy is commonly consumed in southern states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. It’s extracted from the sap of coconut palms or other palm trees.
- Tuba in the Philippines - It’s a palm wine made from coconut trees. It’s most commonly enjoyed in rural areas.
- Kallu in Sri Lanka - Kallu is a type of palm wine found in Sri Lanka, where it is extracted from the sap of the coconut palm.
- Emu in West Africa - Emu is a popular palm wine in West Africa. It’s common in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon. It is made from the sap of various palm trees, including the African oil palm and the raffia palm.
- Sopi in the Solomon Islands - Sopi, like most types of palm wine, is made from coconut trees. It’s a common drink to have at social events in the Solomon Islands.
- Tual in Indonesia - Tual is most popular in regions like Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. It is made from the sap of different palm trees and it’s often consumed during celebrations.
- Palm Wine in West Africa - Palm wine is a generic term used to describe palm wines in West Africa. It can be made from various palm trees and it can vary slightly in alcohol content and taste.
- Borassus Wine in South Asia and Africa - Borassus wine is also called palmyra toddy. It’s made from the sap of the palmyra palm, which originates from South Asia and parts of Africa.
The Health Benefits of Palm Wine
If you want to diversify your beverage menu and attract more customers who are looking for a different dining experience, you should add palm wine to your offers. Attracting the people who love experimentation would be great for your business.
One way to bring more people in when you add palm wine to your offers is by advertising all the benefits. That’s a great way to educate people about palm wine and entice them to try it by telling them all about the positives. Here’s what you can tell your customers!
10 Health Benefits of Palm Wine
Most people have heard about the health benefits of drinking wine. But they don’t all apply to palm wine. Traditional wine and palm wine are significantly different, which means that their benefits can’t be the same.
Here are the 10 benefits people can reap from consuming palm wine in moderation:
1. Rich in Nutrients - Palm wine contains lots of nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. These can contribute to overall health and well-being.
2. Antioxidant Properties - Palm wine contains antioxidants, including phenolic compounds. They help protect the body against oxidative stress while reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
3. Improves Digestion - The natural fermentation process produces probiotics and enzymes that aid digestion and promote gut health.
4. Boosts Immunity - Some studies suggest that moderate consumption of palm wine may help strengthen the immune system, thanks to its antioxidant content and potential antimicrobial properties.
5. Heart Health - Moderate consumption of palm wine has been associated with improved heart health. This includes lower blood pressure, as well as reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases.
6. Bone Health - It contains minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones. Regular consumption may help prevent bone-related disorders, such as osteoporosis.
7. Energy Boost - Palm wine is a source of natural carbohydrates and sugars, which provide quick energy.
8. Stress Reduction - Some consumers find palm wine helps them relax.
9. Skin Health - The antioxidants and vitamins in palm wine may contribute to healthy skin.
10. Weight Management - Palm wine is relatively low in calories compared to other types of alcohol. This makes it a suitable option for those watching their weight.
Palm Wine Cocktails to Serve at Your Restaurant
Palm wine cocktails are mixed drinks like the other popular cocktails. The only difference here is that as base you are going to use palm wine. If you want to hop on the bandwagood of cocktails with palm wine, this section can serve as inspiration for you. We have listed 5 different palm wine cocktails you can make or use as a starting point of a custom drink you want to create.
1. Palm Wine Mojito
- Palm wine
- Fresh mint leaves
- Lime juice
- Simple syrup
- Soda water
2. Palm Wine Sangria
3. Palm Wine Punch
- Palm wine
- Pineapple juice
- Coconut water
- Dark rum
- Grenadine
- Lime slices
4. Palm Wine Margarita
- Palm wine
- Tequila
- Triple sec
- Lime juice
- Simple syrup
- Salt or sugar for the rim
- Lime wedges
5. Palm Wine Cooler
- Palm wine
- Ginger ale
- Lime juice
- Cucumber slices
- Mint leaves
Every skilled bartender will be able to mix up all the ingredients and even come up with unique cocktail garnish options for each drink. Don’t be afraid to experiment and add your own twist to these drinks so they fit better into your menu.
Food and Palm Wine Pairings to Try
Drink and food pairings are important for every restaurant. When you can offer quality pairings, you will be providing an exceptional customer experience. That’s why we think it’s worth it to consider the possible pairings you can make with palm wine.
Whether you choose to serve palm wine as is, or you prefer to focus on palm wine cocktails, there are plenty of great pairings to make. Here are some examples of meals we recommend pairing with palm wine or palm ine cocktails:
1. Grilled Fish with Coconut Rice
2. Jollof Rice with Chicken
3. Prawn Suya
4. Pepper Soup
5. Fried Plantains with Beans
6. Suya Beef Skewers
7. Bean Fritters
8. Suya Pizza
Seafood in general is another great option to pair with palm wine and similar drinks. The tropical taste and feel of the wine makes it a big harder to pair but once you get familiar with the notes and the aroma, it will become much easier.
Train your staff to offer palm wine as a beverage alongside specific meals. See how customers will react to the drink in general and which pairings work best. This can help you narrow down your beverage menu, food options, and also give you the knowledge which pairings are absolutely worth it to recommend.
Palm Wine on Your Beverage Menu
If you are worried about how palm wine will be received by customers, you should set a trial period. Get a few bottles, mix up some cocktails and way to hear back from your customers. Even if the waiters are not specifically asking the customers for their feedback, if you use beverage inventory tracking software like BinWise, you will be able to tell.
With the help of our platform, you can track the customer behavior and see what people like the most and when they order specific types of drinks. You will also save a lot of time fro, taking inventory, can prevent losses and set up your business up for succes! We help streamline the process of curating and editin your wine lists, too.
If you want to know more about all the amazing features of BinWise, book a demo with us right away! Let us help you reach the next level of your restaurant business.