Brem

Brem is a traditional fermented food made from white glutinous rice. It is mainly found on the island of Bali in Indonesia (Pujawan, 2004).

The food is specifically a glutinous rice extract which is both sweet and sour and has a starchy texture. It is eaten as a street food snack.

There are two variants on sale – solid white and yellow-white. The liquid brem comes from rice wine (Tamang et al., 2016)..

The manufacture of solid brem relies on yeast but not the liquid version (Aryanta, 2000).

It is eaten or drunk because it is claimed to be good for the skin, is able to warm the body to reduce chills and increases appetite (Ardaneswari et al., 2014).

References

Ardaneswari, D.P.C., Kumalaningsih S, Santoso I. (2014) Production System Analysis of Brem Processing unit. Case Study: The Industrial Centers of Brem in Kaliabu and Bancong Village, Madiun District. Wacana Journal. 17 pp. 159–70.

Aryanta WR. (2000) Traditional fermented foods in Indonesia. Japanese Journal of Lactic Acid Bacteria. 10 pp. 90–102.

Pujawan, N. (2004) Efforts to improve the quality of brem madiun with the addition of sodium bicarbonate. Boga Dan Gizi. 3 pp. 5–9

Tamang, J.P., Thapa N, Bhalla TC, Savitri (2016). Ethnic Fermented Foods and Beverages of India. In Ethnic Fermented Foods and Alcoholic Beverages of Asia. In: Tamang, J.P., editor. Springer. New Delhi, India: pp. 17–72.