Yak&Brew FAQ – How to Brew Tongba at Home

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Tongba is a traditional fermented millet drink from Nepal, enjoyed warm through a straw. It’s tangy, earthy, and rich with cultural history.

Each kit includes organic red millet, a custom yeast sachet, a reusable straw, illustrated instructions, and eco-friendly packaging.

It’s simple:

1. Steam the millet
2. Cool and mix in the yeast
3. Ferment for 4 - 6 days
4. Enjoy warm, with hot water refills over the grain

Every kit comes with step-by-step instructions. You can also follow our detailed brewing guide here.

Brewing Tongba takes about 4 to 6 days, and every day is part of the magic. Around day 3, you’ll start to notice a sweet, tangy aroma - a sign that the yeast is waking up and the transformation has begun. The exact timing depends on your environment and the yeast you use, but that's part of the joy.

It’s not just waiting - it’s watching something ancient come to life in your kitchen. Slow, alive, and beautifully simple. Trust the process. You’re brewing the Himalayas at home. 

The fermentation process develops tangy, earthy flavors that evolve over 4 - 6 days.

Yes. It’s fully legal. This is a DIY fermentation kit like kombucha or mead - no alcohol license needed for personal use.

Yes! We offer three options: 

1. Marcha Style (sour/tangy) 
2. Khukuri Dry (dry/peppery)
3. The Easy Everest (crisp/citrusy)

Definitely. No brewing experience required. Our instructions walk you through every step - from millet cooking to fermentation and sipping.

Just a large pot (to steam millet), a clean container (for fermenting), a towel, and hot water for serving. No special gear needed.

The millet is USDA certified and sourced from a U.S. supplier. Yeast is professionally selected and repackaged by us for quality and consistency.

The kit has a shelf life of 6 - 12 months when stored in a cool, dry place.

Yes, you can! We provide a strain that’s tested and tailored to match traditional flavors, but advanced brewers are welcome to experiment.

Yes. Red finger millet is naturally gluten-free. However, it’s packaged in a facility that may process other grains, so we can’t certify it as gluten-free for those with severe allergies.

Yes. All ingredients and components are 100% plant-based and vegan-friendly.

This kit is designed for adult use only.

You can typically enjoy 2 to 4 refills of hot water over the same prepared millet base in one sitting. Each refill draws out more flavor from the grains, with the first couple pours being the boldest. By the third or fourth refill, the taste becomes lighter and more mellow.

This slow-sipping tradition is what makes Tongba so special - it’s meant to be shared, savored, and refilled while the conversations flow.

Chhaang is a closely related traditional preparation, typically served strained and chilled. While our kit is designed for Tongba, it can also be used to explore Chhaang-style brewing at home.

Detailed Chhaang brewing guide here.

Yes! The aluminum and bamboo Fipsing (straws) are reusable. The kit process can also be repeated with new millet and yeast if you want to brew again.

Coming soon! We’re working on standalone millet + yeast refills so you can keep brewing without buying the full kit again.

Currently, we ship within the U.S. only. If you're outside the U.S., please reach out — we’re exploring global shipping options.

Still have questions? Email us anytime at support@yakandbrew.com. We would love to hear from you.