 A glass of street side lahang | |
| Course | Beverage |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Indonesia |
| Region or state | West Java |
| Serving temperature | Cold |
| Main ingredients | Sap ofArenga pinnata |
Lahang is a traditional sweet and cold beverage fromWest Java,Indonesia, made from thesap ofArenga pinnata (sugar palm oraren). The drink is commonly known in Indonesia; however, it is usually associated with theSundanese of West Java. It is known as a traditionalisotonic drink.[1]
Lahang is obtained through tappingaren or sugar palm trees. The part being tapped are the male flowers of thearen plants. In order to maintain its freshness, farmers will usually start early in the dawn to tap the palm flowers. The optimal age of Arenga tree suitable for tapping is five years or older. Tapping the sap fromAren tree requires skills, prior of attaching the tube, the cob of male flowers must be cleaned to avoid contamination and impurities.
The sap liquid is slowly built up and dripped into the bamboo container. After certain period, the sap would be collected. In certain circumstances when the sap of sugar palm tree is left in open air for too long, the sap liquid will be fermented and turned intovinegar orpalm wine.
The sweet tasting sap then is mixed with ice and ready to be served. Icedlahang is usually sold as refreshment, a street beverage in large bamboo tubes.Lahang usually produced together withgula aren (palm sugar),tuak (palm wine) anddodol sweets, since all of them are the products ofaren tree.
