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About Jamu
About JAMU
The History of Jamu First brewed on the island of Java, Indonesia , the name ‘Jamu’ is derived from the modern pronunciation of djamoe, meaning ‘prayer or remedy to improve health’. The brewing of medicinal herbs in Java can be traced back to the 11th century through reliefs and written manuscripts, making Jamu the only modern day medicine that can reasonably claim a one thousand year history. Today, the name refers to Javanese herbal medicine, and the drink itself is considered an important part of Indonesian heritage!
Making Jamu
The forests of Java - ranging in altitude from mangrove to mountainous rainforest - are the ideal environment to forage for many of Jamu’s ingredients. The exact process of making Jamu varies recipe by recipe, but the process involves crushed or mashed herbs/roots (like turmeric, ginger, galangal, kencur and cinnamon), a natural sweetener like brown/rock sugar or lime and other barks, seeds and flowers. Jamu recipes are passed down from generation to generation, and the exact ingredients for Jamu can differ by region and family recipe - each with their own specific set of health benefits.