[Javanologi Explore] Javanese Culinary: Dawet Ireng

Friends of Javanology, Indonesia is known for its diverse regional cuisine. There are so many delicious specialties from various regions in Indonesia, one of which is the typical culinary of the Central Java region which we will discuss this time is Dawet Ireng. Dawet Ireng is a typical drink of Purworejo. Actually, for residents who live in Purworejo, of course, they are no stranger to Dawet Ireng, a typical ‘trade mark’ drink, Purworejo, because this drink is widespread on the sides of the Purworejo highway.

Dawet Ireng is a type of dawet drink but with a thick black cendol. This culinary has a characteristic color that is different from the presence of dawet in general. Culinary dawet that we often encounter is green and white, but often there are several colors of cendol that are used to attract the attention of consumers. The process of making Dawet Ireng is very natural, which is processed by hand and does not use chemical dyes. The black color used for cendol is made from dry rice leaves (merang) which are burned to ashes, then the ash is mixed with water to produce black color.

Behind its black and unique color, it turns out that Dawet Ireng has good properties for those who consume it. Dawet Ireng is believed by the community to be able to relieve internal heat and improve digestion. These properties are inseparable from the ingredients used to make them. All materials used are natural and traditional ingredients, including cendol dye which makes it an exotic black.

Friends of Javanology, the recipe for ice dawet ireng can be easily made at home. How to make ice dawet ireng is quite practical when compared to other typical Indonesian drink recipes. Here’s the recipe and how to make it:

Ingredients From Dawet Ireng Ice Recipe:
1.     Prepare 50 grams of sago flour
2.     Prepare 60 grams of good quality rice flour
3.     Prepare 600 ml of water
4.     1 teaspoon table salt
5. 1 1/2 tablespoons of straw ash and 50ml of water, then dissolved, then filtered
6.     1/8 teaspoon black coloring

Syrup Ingredients For Ice Dawet Ireng
1.     Prepare 250 grams of brown sugar/brown sugar, then slice it finely
2.     Prepare 2 pandan leaves
3.     250 ml of water
4.     2 drops of vanilla essence for flavoring

Soup Ingredients From Dawet Ireng Ice Coconut Milk
1.     Prepare 500 ml of coconut milk from 1/2 coconut
2.     Prepare 2 pandan leaves
3.     1/4 teaspoon table salt
4.     Complementary Ingredients for Ice Dawet Ireng Recipe
5.     Jackfruit, then cut into pieces
6.     Pre-shrunk ice cubes

How to make a special Dawet Ireng (Black) Ice Drink
1. Prepare the cendol dough first by combining rice flour, sago flour, water, brown ash water, salt, and black dye earlier. Then stir until the dough is really well mixed and doesn’t clump, then cook while consistently stirring until it’s bubbling and thick.
2.     Prepare a basin that already contains ice water, then place the cendol mold on it.
3.     Pour the cendol mixture on top of the mold then press it on top.
4.     Strain the cendol, then set aside.
5.   Bring the syrup ingredients to a boil over low heat until they become thick, stir until smooth, then set aside.
6. Boil the coconut milk ingredients while stirring until it boils and do not break the coconut milk so that the taste is consistently fresh.
7.  After the syrup and coconut milk have cooled, prepare a serving glass, then add 1/2 tablespoon of jackfruit pieces, 3 tablespoons of black cendol, also flush with coconut milk, first add ice cubes. Finally, pour the syrup. Ice dawet ireng then ready to be enjoyed.