Tej
Ethiopian Honey Wine
Tej is a traditional Ethiopian honey wine, fermented using gesho (Rhamnus prinoides) leaves, which impart a unique bitter flavor and act as a natural yeast source. This recipe outlines the basic process for creating this distinctive beverage at home.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Honey(A good quality, unpasteurized honey is recommended for best fermentation results. Wildflower or local honey can add complex flavors.)
- 4 L Water(Use non-chlorinated water. Filtered or spring water is ideal. If using tap water, let it sit out uncovered for 24 hours to allow chlorine to dissipate.)
- 100 g Gesho leaves(Fresh or dried gesho leaves are crucial for authentic Tej. They provide the characteristic bitterness and are essential for fermentation. If fresh, gently bruise them. If dried, they can be added directly.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Sanitize your brewing vessel: Thoroughly clean and sanitize a large glass carboy or food-grade bucket (at least 5-liter capacity) to prevent unwanted bacterial growth. Rinse well.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Dissolve the honey: In the sanitized vessel, combine the 1 kg of honey with 4 L of non-chlorinated water. Stir vigorously until the honey is completely dissolved. You should have a clear, sweet liquid.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 3
Add the gesho leaves: Add the 100g of gesho leaves to the honey-water mixture. Stir them in gently. The gesho will begin to infuse the liquid, contributing its unique bitter notes and natural yeasts.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Initial Fermentation: Cover the opening of the vessel with a breathable cloth (like cheesecloth or a clean tea towel) secured with a rubber band or string. This allows air exchange while keeping out dust and insects. Place the vessel in a warm, dark location (ideally 20-25°C / 68-77°F).
⏱️ 2-3 weeks - 5
Monitor fermentation: After a day or two, you should observe signs of fermentation, such as small bubbles rising to the surface and a slight frothy head. This indicates the gesho is actively working. Stir the mixture gently once a day for the first week if possible.
⏱️ Ongoing during fermentation - 6
First Racking (Straining): Once the vigorous fermentation subsides (typically after 2-3 weeks, when bubbling slows significantly), carefully strain the liquid to remove the gesho leaves. Use a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Transfer the strained liquid back into a clean, sanitized vessel. This process is called racking and helps clarify the wine and remove sediment.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 7
Secondary Fermentation: Re-cover the vessel with the breathable cloth and secure it. Continue to ferment in the same warm, dark location for another 2-3 weeks. During this stage, the Tej will clarify further, and the flavors will mature.
⏱️ 2-3 weeks - 8
Final Racking and Aging: After the secondary fermentation is complete, rack the Tej again to remove any accumulated sediment. You can optionally transfer it to smaller, sanitized bottles for aging. While Tej is often consumed relatively young, allowing it to age for a few more weeks can further mellow the flavors. The final taste (sweetness vs. dryness) will depend on the duration of fermentation.
⏱️ 15 minutes (racking) + optional aging - 9
Serving: Serve chilled. Traditionally, Tej is served in a 'berele', a round-bottomed clay flask with a long neck. Enjoy the unique sweet and bitter notes of your homemade Tej.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Gesho leaves are essential for the authentic bitter flavor and fermentation process of Tej. Do not omit them.
- ✓Fermentation time is a guideline; observe the signs of fermentation (bubbling, clarity) to determine readiness.
- ✓The final sweetness or dryness of your Tej is directly related to how long you allow it to ferment. Shorter fermentation results in a sweeter wine, while longer fermentation produces a drier, more alcoholic beverage.
- ✓Sanitation is key to successful fermentation. Ensure all equipment that comes into contact with the Tej is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Sweeter Tej: Ferment for a shorter period (around 2-3 weeks total).
- Drier Tej: Ferment for a longer period (up to 6 weeks or more), allowing more sugar to be converted to alcohol.
- Herbal Infusions: Experiment with adding small amounts of other complementary herbs or spices during the secondary fermentation, but be mindful not to overpower the delicate honey and gesho flavors.