Langkau
| Type | Rice wine |
|---|---|
| Other name | Sarawak moonshine[1] |
| Distributor | Carus Group of Companies[2] |
| Origin | Sarawak, Malaysia, (Kuching Division, Samarahan Division)[3] |
| Alcohol by volume | 30% to 50%[4][5] |
| Colour | Clear, transparent |
| Flavour | Very strong, sharp, and potent alcohol taste with a fiery kick[6] |
| Ingredients | Glutinous rice mixed with ragi (yeast) |
| Related products | lihing, montoku, and tapai (Sabah), tuak (Sarawak, Kalimantan, Java, and Sumatra), saguer (Maluku Islands and New Guinea) |
Langkau is a type of Malaysian rice wine that originates from the state of Sarawak. It is a distilled version of another Sarawak's rice wine of tuak, made from glutinous rice with ragi (yeast), and is a traditional rice wine for the Dayak and Iban people.[1] It is commonly served during various occassions such as Christmas and the Gawai Dayak.[1][5]
Origin and background
[edit source]Its name, langkau, comes from the local Iban term for "a hut or shelter",[7] referencing the place where it is often distilled.[4][8] The drink is usually made at home with traditional equipment where the recipe has been passed down through generations and is also considered the indigenous traditional remedy to treat muscle aches or insomnia.[4] Other theories considered it a technique brought over by one of Borneo's many immigrant communities.[1]
Preparation
[edit source]The langkau is distilled from tuak and is considered a strong alcoholic drink,[1] with its alcohol content reaching up to 50%,[4] similar to Sabah's montoku.[9] The procedure commenced with the heating of the fermented rice mash, followed by the collection and cooling of the evaporated alcohol back into its liquid form.[4]
See also
[edit source]
References
[edit source]- 1 2 3 4 5 Hay, Mark; Huiying, Ore (26 July 2017). "A guide to Borneo's vibrant alcohol culture". Explore Parts Unknown. Archived from the original on 20 January 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ "Brewery & Spirits". Carus Group of Companies. Archived from the original on 6 August 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ Amit 2017, p. 1.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Chan, Irene (19 August 2025). "A Toast to Sarawak: The Culture Behind Tuak and Langkau". In Real Life. Archived from the original on 18 February 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- 1 2 Chai, Chris (9 January 2026). "Spirits of Southeast Asia: Malaysia [Langkau]". The ABV Project. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ Teo, Evelyn (12 May 2026). "Tuak vs Langkau vs Tapai: Sarawak's Rice Drinks Explained". Tuak Atelier. Archived from the original on 1 August 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ "Langkau". Borneo Dictionary. Archived from the original on 6 August 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ "Langkau". TasteAtlas. Archived from the original on 6 August 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ NA, Ismail (28 January 2024). "Kenali 5 Jenis Arak Tradisional Warisan Masyarakat Sabah" [Get to Know 5 Types of Traditional Liquor from the Heritage of Sabah Community]. ILoveBorneo.my (in Malay). Archived from the original on 17 June 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
Bibliography
[edit source]- Amit, Noh (2017). The consumption of alcohol among men in rural Sarawak (Thesis). doi:10.26180/4679605 – via Monash University.
