Easy Sorghum Porridge

Makhaha: The Story of Sorghum

Sorghum porridge – a simple and delicious African indigenous porridge. Also known as Mabele porridge or Makhaha.

I grew up during the emergence of new cereals. The kind you put in a bowl and then pour milk into. As a kid, I thought these cereals were cool because we saw TV commercials of kids eating them before school.

“Why don’t you ever buy us cool cereals like the ones we see on TV?” One day, I asked my mother. “Those cereals have fewer nutrients than the ones we buy in this house,” my mother responded, “and I want you to get all the nutrients you need to grow.” She added. I didn’t get it the first time. It became her anthem to tell us about the importance of eating a healthy breakfast until I stopped asking her about it.

For breakfast, she would often make this rich and delicious sorghum porridge for us and serve it with love. Mama knows real food, I tell you. Ask anyone who grew up in South Africa and they will tell you the stories of Maltabella sorghum porridge.

Rumour has it that Sorghum was first recorded in 8000 B.C. It was discovered at an archaeological dig in northeastern Africa near the Egyptian-Sudanese border. The truth is, Sorghum is a cereal grain that has existed for thousands of years. Africans have been cultivating and eating this indigenous grain for far longer than maize in most parts of Africa. Traditional porridge, fermented drinks, and traditional beer are made from this beautiful grain. It’s called ‘Makhaha’ in Venda, Mabele in Sotho and Amabele in Zulu. Many countries only use sorghum for livestock feed, unaware or perhaps ignorant of its power.

Don’t let them fool you! Sorghum is a versatile crop, serving as an excellent substitute for rice, oatmeal, and other grains such as quinoa and barley.

My search for Sorghum porridge

In April 2022, I walked through the aisles of South African supermarkets looking for Sorghum. What I thought would be a simple find turned out not to be the case. It appears to be available in fewer supermarkets than in previous years. How is it that a native African grain has become so difficult to find?

During my research, I was astounded by the strength and power of this ancient grain. It is gluten-free, high in iron, high in fibre and has other nutritional benefits. While we are highlighting the benefits, It is also great to mention that Sorghum’s scientific structure also reveals that it is high in phenolic compounds, which act as antioxidants.

Antioxidants are the good guys that fight to help prevent the oxidation of other molecules in the body known as free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that are created naturally by our body through the food we eat. They are also created when we are exposed to toxins in the environment such as pesticides and chemicals. Free radicals are like the bad boys, they always outnumber the antioxidants in our bodies, because our bodies are constantly being exposed to them. It is, therefore, necessary to load up with external antioxidants like those found in Sorghum to increase the levels for optimum health (excuse me, while I try to put my science degree to good use for a second). 

Why isn’t sorghum getting more attention? 

For many years, sorghum has been regarded as “poor people’s food,” “livestock food,” “famine food,” or “unattractive food.” It’s no surprise that consumption of this ancient grain is decreasing at a fast rate. It gets a fraction of the attention it deserves and produces a fraction of its potential. Without a doubt, as the world approaches the point where its food supplies will be insufficient to feed its people, this grain will play an increasing role in feeding the human race. Oh, the miracle grain will come to our rescue sooner rather than later. 

Another point to consider is that we are losing the generation that was raised to embrace this indigenous grain; our grandmothers and grandfathers. They are the ones who are knowledgeable about and have recipes for our indigenous foods. Furthermore, the new generation has been heavily influenced by foreign food and is no longer interested in incorporating recipes like Sorghum porridge into their daily diet. The dream is to see a bowl of sorghum porridge viewed in the same gleaming light as an omelette or yoghurt: delightful, comforting, and nutritious.

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