Friday, February 24, 2012

Juju Dhau (The King Yogurt from Bhaktapur, Nepal)


Juju Dhau (The King Yogurt from Bhaktapur, Nepal)
Juju Dhau is a sweetened custard-like yogurt that comes from Bhaktapur, Nepal, and is an important component of all feasts and celebrations.  Juju Dhau literally means "king of yogurt" in the Newari language.  While cow's milk is used to make regular yogurt, fresh buffalo milk (bhaisi) is traditionally used for Juju Dhau, resulting in a richer taste and texture.  To make Juju Dhau, the milk is boiled, sweetened, mixed with culture, and poured into decorative, natural red clay pot called maato ko kataaro.  It is then placed in a warm area, on a bed of paddy husks (the papery covering of rice grains), covered with another kataaro on top, and wrapped in several thick cotton blankets to maintain a warm temperature while the yogurt sets.  Because the clay pots are porous, the excess liquid from the yogurt slowly evaporates, leaving a delicious, thick, smooth and creamy yogurt.  It is then transported and sold in the market in the same clay pots.  A visit to Bhaktapur is not complete without sampling a bowl of Juju Dhau.

Special occasion Juju Dhau
Juju Dhau can be enjoyed any time of the day as a snack or with a Nepali meal or as an after dinner dessert.  Sometimes, it is made in a small clay cup and sold and consumed in the same container.
A beautiful lady is placing several freshly made Juju Dhau containers (kataaro) on the shelves.  The yogurt will thicken further and will become more delicious, thick and creamy.  It is then transported to different places for sale.
Maru Tole open market - at the southwestern corner of the Kathmandu Durbar Square. morning shopping - different containers of Juju Dhau.
Mr. Nabin Pradhanang (3rd generation Juju Dhau maker) is giving us a tour of his yogurt making facility in Bhaktapur, Nepal.  Walking through some narrow pathway from Dattatreya square, we arrived at his place in Bolache, where Juju Dhau is being made. 

Picture of the unglazed natural clay pot (maata ko kataaro in Nepali, kala in Newari).  The clay pot is porous, so the excess liquid or moisture from the yogurt slowly evaporates and makes a delicious, firm textured, creamy and thick yogurt. It also retains the proper temperature during the incubating period of yogurt making. The kataroo keeps yogurt cool in hot summer days. Juju dhau is sold in the same clay pot that it was prepared.

Before adding milk and starter culture, the kataaro is soaked in water for several hours and drained completely. 


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Mr Pradhanang is showing us how each kataaro is placed on top of a rice husk.  It is then slowly filled with thickened milk.  When the milk is slightly cooled, the starter culture (one spoonful at a time) is added to each container.  Then, it is covered by another empty kataroo. A thick insulated cotton blanket (tagaeko oddane)  is placed on top of the yogurt containers.  It is then left undisturbed for several hours (average 3-4 hours in warm days, 5-6 hours in cold days) for the yogurt to set. The warmth of the room is necessary for the growth of the culture.   
Mr. Pradhananga is leaving the room with covered yogurt containers.  He will be back when the yogurt is ready.  He will move the yogurt container to the shelves during which time,  it will thicken further. 
An active yogurt culture (previously made yogurt) is needed to start making a new batch of yogurt.  The starter culture is called "dahi ko beu" in Nepali and "dhau pusa" in Newari. Mr. Pradhananga is showing us the "starter" which was saved from the last batch of juju dhau.
A room filled with rice husks (bhus) - it is the papery covering of rice grains. The husk helps to keep the temperature of the milk culture warm during incubating period. 
Heating buffalo milk (bhaisi ko doodh) in a heavy bottomed pot (karaahi) over direct heat.  Stirring constantly to prevent sticking until milk has thickened.  It may take about 1 1/2 hours depending upon the amount of the milk.

I would like thank my dear friend Madhu, who took me to Bhaktapur to observe the Juju Dhau making process.  I am also grateful to  Mr. Shyam S. Dhaubhadel, founder of Siddi Memorial foundation (Siddi Memorial Hospital and Briddhashram) also the owner of Cafe Nayatapola, Taumadhi square, Bhaktapur to arrange this tour.  Thank you so much Mr. Nabin Pradhananga for showing me all the details of Juju Dhau making.  In the above picture I have captured the picture of your store - indeed a special store in Bolache, Bhaktapur -   Thank you!
Voila!  Juju Dhau is ready to be placed in the shelves to rest.  Some of the rice husk that are attached to the container have to be removed.  The triangle wood stand is called dhauka, which help to keep the container stacked up.

Yogurt is used not only for culinary purposes, but has deeply roots in Nepali cultural traditions, rituals, and religions.  For example, yogurt is eaten to purify oneself during religious fasting days.  It is also consumed as an auspicious blessed food, before departing from home.  Many Nepalese believe that yogurt brings good luck, so a fresh container of yogurt is placed in the entrance ways for special occasions.  In the above picture, yogurt is used during wedding ceremony.
Juju Dhau is most essential part of festival food for Dashain, Tihar, Bhai-Tika, Mother's day and other special occasions.  In the above picture, yogurt is offered to the deities during religious festivals.  On auspicious occasions, yogurt is used to prepare a red paste (ashheta ko tika) applied on the forehead for family blessings.
From Jyoti's kitchen - This is my version of Juju Dhau prepared with cow's milk.
Picture of unglazed,  natural clay pot bought here in the United States to  recreate Nepali Juju Dhau.  From Jyoti's collection.....
Serving delicious home-made Juju Dhau at Shanti's place during special vhoye (feast).

Juju Dhau for sale - transported from Bhaktapur, to Ason Chowk, Kathmandu

 Ason Chowk market


Special occasion Juju Dhau - this special order yogurt is made with added khuwa, (special thickened milk) sugar, and cardamom powder. 
Best tasting Juju Dhau ever - Enjoying a quick afternoon snack in the Basantpur Durbar square area, Kathmandu.  - small clay cup of Juju Dhau with a wooden flat spoon.  
Display of Juju Dhau in a small tourist shop at Thamel, Kathmandu.
A street vendor selling Juju Dhau in a corner of busy Ason Tole chowk in Kathmandu.  The yogurt containers (maato ko kataaro) are stacked high with the help of a triangular wooden frame stand.
A man prepares his stacks of Juju Dhau containers, tied securely with braided bamboo cord to carry to a different location. 

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27 comments:

  1. I'm about to go on a field trip with my students to Bhaktapur, and I really hope I get to try the curd there! It looks delicious :)

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  2. A visit to Bhaktapur is not complete without sampling a bowl of Juju Dhau! Enjoy the most delicious yogurt....Namaste jyoti

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  3. I live in California and came across your blog on the internet while searching for clay pots. Your blog is very informative and interesting. I was born in India and now settled here. Do you know any place where I can buy the clay pot as shown on your blog? I am specially looking for an unglazed clay pot to make yogurt at home.

    Thanks,
    Meenal

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    Replies
    1. Some of my friends use earthen cookware (unglazed, pure-clay baking pots) from specialty cookware stores. Any unglazed clay pots from the garden supplies without drainage hole will work too.

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  5. craving for juju dhau

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  6. i am looking for your contact i am not able to get so i will have nearest sales branch i am living in Hattigauda kathmandu

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  7. Hello! I am so happy to have found your blog. It is so enjoyable to read and very informative and educating. I am Swedish married to a Nepalese, and I bought your cook book a while back and we have enjoyed ever single dish I prepared. My husband is very happy and I am happy too to have been able to make such delicious food :)

    Now I was wondering, I really want to try to make yoghurt, but I don't have a clay pot and the ones I found seems to be rather expensive. Is it possible to make the yoghurt in a different container?

    Again, thank you so much for all your work, it is truly appreciated!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words.

      Making yogurt at home is simple and easy, and does not require any special clay pots. You can use any containers that is found in your kitchen. Please check my previous posting on - how to make homemade yogurt -

      http://tasteofnepal.blogspot.com/2014/03/homemade-yogurt.html

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  8. Namaste mam! i went through your blog right today and i am really thankful to collective information about juju dhau since i have tasted a yogurt and made myself also, but juju dhau sounds quite new and i hope quite delicious than regular yogurt...i am passionate about food and culture that's why i wanna know more about secret and different cooking methods of Nepal 's food.
    thanks Sanjog

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    1. Thank you and Namaste Sanjog - Please check out how to make home-made yogurt in the following link - http://tasteofnepal.blogspot.com/2014/03/homemade-yogurt.html

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  9. I am working on a project for an exhibition to be held in the US ..and I am trying to find out any particular manufacturer who can mass produce these delicious ones.
    If anyone can give me their website/facebook page.it would be welcomed.

    PS:They have to be genuine ones representing Bhaktapur

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  10. this is hands down the best yogurt in the world. Greek yogurt has got nothing on it . From the custardy richness to the old world charm of the clay pots it rules over all yogurts . If it wasn't for the usda I would import it to the U.S. And serve it like it is to my guests and trust me when I say it's the best I'm a chef and know what food is gold.

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  11. Dai ko beu ? Can't find in internet can any one help me

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    1. Any plain yogurt with active culture will work for Dahi ko Beu - Please check my blog --- how to make home-made yogurt in the following link - http://tasteofnepal.blogspot.com/2014/03/homemade-yogurt.htmlork -

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  12. Hello, I am volunteering and living for a few months in Nepal and have come across your blog while searching for juju dhau and how it's made. What a wonderful article! I see you have so many other interesting articles to read as well on other food dishes and the Nepali holidays - such an interesting and informative blog! May I ask would it be possible to meet Mr. Nabin Pradhanang and also have a tour of his yoghurt making facility - I would just love that! I love to go to Bhaktapur for a day and I think I am addicted to juju dhau! Please let me know if it's possible and the best way to be in touch with him. Thank you again for your great blog!

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    1. Thank you Carolyn for reading my blog and commenting. I am sorry, I do no have Nabin's phone no.

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  13. I got the valuable information from your blog. Thanks for sharing.
    upcoming food events in chennai

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  14. where can you buy small clay pots in the US? I live in the San Francisco Bay area and would like to recreate the wonderful Juju Dhau I had in Bakhtapur

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping at my page. Please check pottery store in USA for clay pots.

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  15. I live in Bafal near to Grand Hotel and I need Juju dhau without sugar in 1/2 lt or 1 lt in Bhgut (mud pot) but there is no Juju dau so to have that I want buy minimum quantity to sell so please help me.contact 9802016737

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    1. Thank you for checking about sugarless juju dhau. I am a cookbook writer and blogger, I would not have information on sugarless yogurt. Please check with local authority. Thank you again.

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  16. can this juju dhau be brought in jorpati besigaun to sell

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