Traditionally shared during weddings and other celebrations, banana juice (and beer!) has long been a central part of Rwandan parties. Although nowadays banana juice can be easily bought from the local store, the traditional technique for making your own brew is a much greater labor of love.

In the morning, you will work with your rural host to collect the green bananas and the leaves needed to begin the process. Next you’ll dig a hole and bury the bananas to ripen over time.

After enjoying a simple meal with your host family, you’ll head to the tap to collect water. The ripening process takes four days, but don’t worry- you won’t need to wait. Your hosts will have some already-buried bananas for you to dig up. You’ll then peel, mash, and strain the bananas using traditional techniques, and voila- you’ve made authentic banana juice.

The day finishes back at the local pub where we boil the beer is sold to the local people so it is easy for you to taste and take away.