Rēwena bread facts for kids
| Alternative names | Rēwena bread, Māori bread |
|---|---|
| Type | Bread |
| Place of origin | New Zealand |
| Main ingredients | Potato, flour, water, sugar, salt |
Parāoa rēwena (literally, "flour leaven") is a type of sourdough bread from New Zealand. It originated amongst the Māori people. The bread is also known as Rēwena bread or Māori bread. It has a characteristic sweet and sour taste.
Preparation
To make Rēwena bread a pre-ferment starter, called a ‘bug, ’ is needed. It is made by boiling and mashing potatoes, then flour and sugar are added. Māori potatoes (taewa) are commonly used for this purpose. Kūmara, or sweet potatoes, may also be used. The mixture then ferments for several days. The starter can be kept and used several times, as long as the yeast is kept alive with regular feeding.
Once the starter is ready, it is mixed with flour and water, kneaded, and baked, usually in a round loaf.
Cultural significance
Rēwena may also be used to break the Māori taboo associated with visiting a cemetery by crumbling the bread over hands in lieu of washing with water.
See also
In Spanish: Pan maorí para niños
