TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - This particular beverage that is called somewhat of a “beer” has red-yellowish colour. But instead of bitter-tasted like beer in common, this beverage offers a mix between spicy and sour flavor. This is the so-called Javanese beer a la Yogyakarta Palace.
"Javanese Beer is actually a water obtained from boiling reddish secang (Caesalpinia sappan) that is mixed with a bit of lemon squeeze," said Kanjeng Raden Tumenggung Jatiningrat, grandson of the late Sultan Hamengku Buwono VIII, when met at his office, Tepas Dwarapuro, in the Complex of Yogyakarta Palace.
According to the member of royal family who is more familiarly known as Romo Tirun Winarta, the history of Javanese beer began during the reign of Sultan HB VIII. At that time, around 1920, the European culinary influences started to enter Java Island through Dutch colonists.
The variety of European foods and beverages including beer started to become popular. Sultan HB VIII considered that beer was harmful since it is tipsifying. But he also wanted to have a Javanese version of the beer that could be enjoyed by the Royal family and that is not causing the drinker to get drunk.
"Then, the recipe was made to make the beverage called Javanese beer. It was popular during the time of Sultan Hamengku Buwono VIII," said Tirun.
The Sultan, said Tirun, usually drank the Javanese beer in the late afternoon while lying on the couch in Ngindrakila along with the palace courtiers.
"In fact, the palace stored some real beers, but those were only served to the Dutch who came visiting the palace.”
The palace had its very own special beer storage called the ‘Sarang Baya’.
"That's not a crocodile nest. The word 'Baya' is derived from the short version of Javanese word 'Bebaya', which means dangerous."
There are versions of Javanese beer recipe other than the one made by the Palace. Based on the information from Culture Office of Yogyakarta, other Javanese beer is made from the stew of ginger, lemongrass, clove, cinnamon, mesofit, pandan leaves, sugar, water, and lemon.
The Javanese beer is, in addition to not causing intoxication, could warm the body and has been consumed as a health drink. The clove content eliminates bad breath while the lemon squeeze is considered good for high-blood pressure problems and body slimming.
TIM TEMPO
