As I've often mentioned here, I grew up in Loum . So, a true ' Loumoise ', as the children of Loum affectionately call me. Loum, like the entire coastal region of Cameroon, is also known for its juicy, delicious pineapples.
Djindja is a cool, slightly spicy ginger drink that I grew up with. Back then, it was the quintessential drink that almost everyone could afford. Another name for it was Coca Hausa , because the addition of caramelized sugar syrup made it look like coca drink.
Djindja and pineapple are a part of my childhood and youth. My mother produced and sold djindja for years while simultaneously growing pineapples for export. Therefore, this recipe is a small tribute to both products.
I combine the sweet and fruity taste of pineapple with the mild spiciness of ginger and the delicate aroma of mint. Chilled, it's a welcome refreshment in summer. Served hot, on cold days, it warms body and soul.
I love pineapple! Unfortunately, I couldn't eat much of it before. The reason: after eating it, I often got an itchy tongue and throat. For years, I endured this problem pineapple . I received many tips on how to avoid it. Some suggested I try untreated pineapples, others advised peeling them generously… None of it helped.
At some point, however, I realized that I didn't have the problem when I drank pineapple juice. That led to the question: why not? Of course! Because pineapple contains very little fiber. Since this fiber is no longer present in fruit juice, it's also easier to digest and a great alternative for people with similar intolerances. After all, you shouldn't miss out on pineapple and its nutritional benefits.
Pineapple is rich in important vitamins such as A, B, C, and E. It is also packed with minerals and trace elements (potassium, calcium, magnesium, selenium, etc.). It supports a strong immune system and contributes to bone health. Additionally, it aids protein digestion. As an antioxidant, it also helps protect cells from oxidative stress. These are just a few of its many benefits.
Ginger is also rich in important vitamins and nutrients. It's a significant source of trace elements such as copper, manganese, zinc , and iron. Among its most important properties are its contribution to strengthening the immune system and facilitating metabolism. The combination of pineapple and ginger is therefore a fantastic health booster.
In this recipe, I combine the sweet and fruity taste of pineapple with the mild spiciness of ginger and the delicate aroma of mint. Chilled, it's a welcome refreshment in summer. Served hot on cold days, it warms body and soul.
Pineapple Ginger Drink
Ingredients
- 500g pineapple
- 3 Finger ginger
- 6-8 Mint leaves
- 2 liters of water
- Sugar (to taste)
- 1 lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Wash the pineapple thoroughly and peel it very sparingly, removing only the outermost skin
- Cut into pieces and place in a pot with about ½ liter of water
- Roughly chop the ginger or crush it in a mortar so that the juice is easily extracted from the fibers later
- Add the crushed ginger to the pot with the pineapple pieces
- Bring everything to a boil and cook for about 10 minutes.
- Then turn down the heat and simmer covered for another 10 minutes over medium heat
- Remove from the oven and let cool for approximately another half hour
- Blend in a blender, then filter the juice using a fine sieve until all the remaining pulp has been extracted
- Pour the resulting juice into a carafe with the remaining water
- Add lemon slices, mint leaves and sugar to taste, stir well and chill in the refrigerator for about an hour or serve immediately with ice cubes.
