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What is Tongba?
Tongba is a traditional Himalayan beverage from Nepal. It is a fermented millet drink, served warm and sipped slowly through a bamboo or metal straw. Tangy, earthy, and ritualistic, Tongba deepens in flavor with each hot water refill. It’s more than a drink. It’s a slow-sipping cultural experience.
What is Chhaang?
Chhaang is another traditional Himalayan beverage, closely related to Tongba. It’s made using the same fermentation process but is typically strained and served chilled. More like a rustic rice wine or mild beer. Chhaang is enjoyed in many parts of Nepal, Darjeeling, Sikkim, and Tibet, often during festivals or communal gatherings.
What comes in each Yak&Brew kit?
How do I brew it?
The process is simple and beginner-friendly. Visit our Tongba and Chhaang Brewing Guide or check out tutorials on our YouTube channel.
Quick steps:
How long does it take to brew?
Brewing takes about 4 to 6 days. By day 3, you’ll notice sweet and fruity aromas. That means the yeast is active and fermentation is underway. This is slow fermentation at its finest. Alive, ancient, and beautifully simple.
What happens during fermentation?
Fermentation transforms the steamed grains into a slightly fizzy, mildly alcoholic drink. It’s a natural, wild process full of depth and tradition, bringing to life a true traditional Himalayan beverage.
How much Tongba or Chhaang does one kit make?
Each kit brews around 4 to 5 hearty servings. With Tongba, you’ll typically get 2 to 4 hot water refills from the same millet base. For Chhaang, straining gives you 2 to 3 generous cups of chilled brew.
How strong is it?
Fermentation can produce 5% to 10% alcohol by volume, depending on the yeast strain, temperature, and time. Like kombucha or light beer, this is a low-alcohol beverage best enjoyed slowly.
Can I make Chhaang with this kit?
Yes. Chhaang uses the same base ingredients as Tongba.
To make it:
For details, visit our Chhaang Brewing Guide.
What is the difference between Tongba and Chhaang?
Both are traditional fermented millet drinks, but they’re served differently:
Same roots. Different rituals.
Can I use a different yeast?
Yes. Our blends are optimized for flavor, fermentation speed, and authenticity, but advanced brewers are welcome to experiment with their own strains.
Can I choose my yeast flavor?
Absolutely. We currently offer two styles:
What’s in the yeast sachet?
Each sachet contains a curated blend of brewing yeast and powdered Himalayan botanicals like ginger, turmeric, holy basil, bay leaf, coriander, and more. Everything is food-grade, plant-based, and vegan.
Is this beginner-friendly?
Yes. If you can steam millet and keep things clean, you can brew Tongba or Chhaang. The included instructions make the process easy and fun.
What do I need at home?
To get started, you’ll need just a few household items:
Everything else you need is included in the DIY kit.
Can I pause or slow fermentation?
You do not want to interrupt nature’s law, established back when dinosaurs roamed your hood, but technically yes, you can.
Refrigerating the fermenting grains will slow or pause the process. Cooler temperatures delay yeast activity, which can be helpful if your kitchen is too warm or your weekend plans do not include babysitting a batch of wild millet.
Can I pause or slow fermentation?
You do not want to interrupt natures law estiblished when dinosour roamed your hood but technically, you can refrigerate the fermenting grains to slow or pause the process. Lower temperatures will delay fermentation, which can be useful in warm climates or for scheduling your brew.
Is the kit gluten-free?
Yes. Red finger millet and rice are naturally gluten-free. However, since our facility may process other grains, we cannot guarantee zero cross-contact for those with severe gluten allergies.
Is this vegan?
Yes. Every ingredient and component in the kit is 100 percent vegan and plant-based.
Can kids or non-drinkers use this?
No. This is a naturally fermented alcoholic beverage intended for adult use only.
Can I reuse the straw or kit?
Yes. The aluminum Pipsing straw and fermentation bag are reusable. Just source more millet and yeast to brew again.
How many pours can I get from one batch of Tongba?
Expect 2 to 4 hot water refills over the same batch of millet:
It’s a slow sipping tradition meant to be shared, savored, and passed around.
How long does the kit last?
Unopened kits stay fresh for 6 to 12 months when stored in a cool, dry place.
Do you offer refill packs?
Coming soon. We’re working on millet and yeast refills so you can keep brewing without buying a new kit every time.
Do you ship internationally?
Not yet. Right now, we ship within the U.S. only. If you’re abroad, send us a message—we’re working on global shipping solutions.
Can I share my brewing story online?
Absolutely. Tag us @yakandbrew. We love seeing your brews, your pours, and your people.
Still have questions?
Email us at: support@yakandbrew.com
We’re happy to help.
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Brew the Himalayas at Home
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