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Current News from Kawalazi Tea Plantation Project - April 2008
Heavy rains were experienced throughout the month. There was a drop in the night temperature in the first half of the month and winter like conditions had set in. However, the second half was a bit warmer and usual to the weather during this time of the year. The crop continued to be steady at high levels and the estate is expected to cross its budget for the month.
With the heavy rains there was a substantial damage to the roads due to soil wash off, maintenance was done in order to maintain the roads.
Pruning (rejuvenation) of the tea fields was finally completed this month. Most of the workers engaged in pruning have now resumed harvesting.
Initial mulching in the young tea areas was completed and this is being followed by another round of adding more organic matter in the form of grass to give a thick blanket. Mulching is being applied to conserve soil moisture since this will be the last month of rains and with the change in season the soil moisture will begin to drop.
The Traditional Beer

Local Malawians have been drinking the Kachasu or the tradtional beer many years now; both for normal consumption and special occasions. It has stayed as a strong contender and has stood its ground despite the availability of various modern options in the market for its low cost and "Big Kick" that makes Kachasu a value for money product.

It is consumed by people from all walks of life, but with the changing times it's popularity in the high-consumption sector is seen more in the traditional settlements and villages. Various people practice brewing this beer and that makes it a sole source of income for many. One such person who regularly brews Kachasu is Mr. Nedson Manda.

Nedson Manda and his family are part of the Village Headman Machingalombo group. He has been in the beer business since 2005 and has inherited the art of brewing from his father who raised him through the income generated through the sale of Kachasu.

Kachasu brewing is a simple process and requires only a few ingredients, which includes water, Madeya (maize husk), sugar and a set of experienced hands, as Manda puts it.

The Making of Kachasu

To make good quality Kachasu it is important that the ingredients are used in the correct proportion and to do so Nedson Manda uses 25 liters of water, 5 packets (of 1 kg each) of sugar and half a tin of 20 lit madeya (approximately 10 kgs). He then dissolves the sugar in the water, mixes the maize husk in the solution and stirs it continuously till the water changes to brown in color. This mixture is kept unstirred for three days in an isolated place so it ferments without any disturbance. Once the husk is completely settled, the solution is ready for making Kachasu.

A fire is lit and a molded (mud) pot is placed on it. While the pot heats up, the solution is carefully poured into it. The pot is sealed on the top and is only opened to a small tube that travels through a wooden cask made out of a tree trunk or a metal vessel that contains water. The steam generated through the solution travels through the pipe and is condensed (distilling process) in the wooden cask and is collected as Kachasu at the other end of the cask where the tube ends up into to a collection container. The 25 litres solution produces 5 litres of beer of which the initial distill is the strongest and the later versions are the slightly diluted ones. All this is poured and mixed together to maintain consistency in each bottle.

Market
Connoisseurs of kachasu

Once the beer is ready, an announcement is made for the people to know that the beer is up for sale. It is usually brewed on the weekends or during pay days since that's when the sales are usually higher and can go upto 30 to 50 litres a day.

The beer is affordable for the people in the villages. Many other names have been given to Kachasu for its inherent characteristics and some of them are fondly known as "PAY LESS" and "KILL ME QUICK".

Nedson Manda and his family's reasoning behind continuing the business is that besides being their source of income, it is a family tradition and they wish uphold the family's name. This also makes them the most sought after during the weekends and on salary days.

Project Work

The setting up of the new laboratory has completed. However, the operations of the clinic will be held for want of the new lab technician who has to be appointed as the one chosen for the job has not been able to join. Advertisements have been posted on the newspapers and response for the same are coming in, this will be materialized in the coming days.

Test kits
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New lab New lab Test kits Mixing ingredients Checking for the perfect blend Distilling plant Sealing of the pot Water tank for condensation Brewing in progress Fresh beer Nedson with his wife Maize husk before and after