The Ancient Art of Palm Wine: Onye's Bold Fermentation Breakthrough Pt. 2
Part 2 of our interview with Onye, founder of Ikenga Wines, we dive into the fascinating world of palm wine—one of the oldest alcoholic beverages in human history.
Topic: Palm wine – an ancient, non-grape wine made from palm tree sap
What is Palm Wine? Naturally fermenting sap collected from palm trees; typically consumed the same day
Traditional Use: Morning (low-alcohol, sweet) vs. evening (higher alcohol); if left too long, it turns to vinegar
Innovative Twist: Onye creates a molecular palm sap from plant-based sources, allowing for controlled fermentation
Wine Style: Sparkling, pet-nat-inspired, unfiltered and hazy
Alcohol Content: Traditional palm wine: ~3–4%, Ikenga Wines: ~8–10%
Fun Fact: Palm wine may date back to prehistoric times and is naturally consumed by animals like bats and primates!
