attaya making

Those of you who know Peter well will be aware of his love of gadgets.  In the absence of western technology his latest fad is making attaya, the Gambian green tea, otherwise known as gunpowder.  An elaborate process, perfected by intricate slight of hand it requires both the correct equipment and hand eye co-ordination.  The equipment is no problem.  Entrusted to Mulais’ capable hands they set off, on the motorbike, to the welding shop, an area in the back streets, where 6 or 7 youngsters hang out making an array of metal objects.  The order for the fire burner duly made, they then purchased a small metal teapot, 10 packets of gunpowder (one for each pot of tea), sugar, mint and shot glasses.

The fun bit begins.  First empty gunpowder leaves into the pot (which nearly fill it) and add 3 shot glasses of water.  Place on charcoal to boil.  Rip the attaya box into a piece appropriate for lifting the metal pot by the handle and then remove pot from heat to add lots and lots of sugar.  Replace on heat to dissolve.   This is Bakary writing now – the Atiyah expert. So I pour the tea from a great height, at least 6 inches into one of the shot glasses, then from shot glass to shot glass from the greatest height you dare, some goes into the glass, most misses, this amuses our host family no end. After 20 mins of this I have approx a thimbleful of tea to offer people – well worth the wait, it was delicious, so people said. I hope to be continuing this custom on my return – I know you can all hardly wait.