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.

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