From nyama choma, to smochas, mutura, and fruit juices- Kenyans are known for their affinity for street foods. In most towns in Kenya, the sight of vendors lined up along the streets and serving street delicacies is common. And the affinity is even higher when there are health benefits tied to the food in question. While walking along the busy Ronald Ngala Street in Nairobi CBD, it’s almost impossible to not notice uji power stalls dotting the sidewalks.
Painted in purple, blue or orange- the stalls are becoming a common meeting joint for Kenyans.
Recently while taking a stroll along the street, I sought to find out the real taste of the beverage and the reason behind its growing popularity among Kenyans.
Upon pulling up at one of the stalls, a middle-aged man ushers me to the seats just beside the sidewalk.
Less than a minute later, one of the waitresses approached to take my order. I, however, explained that I am not conversant with the beverage and as such I needed an introduction.
The lady named Wanja, dressed in her orange dust coat, briefs me about the joint’s menu, the varieties of beverages available and their benefits to the body.
What is Uji power
After taking my order, the lady went on to explain the formula used to make uji power.
Unlike normal porridge, this special beverage is not made from flour. Instead, she explains that uji power is a product of several indigenous foods, blended to form a fine solution.
Among the foods used as ingredients, I gathered, include cassava, yams, arrow roots and the famous Mondia whitei (mukombero) roots associated with ‘manpower’.
Further, the customer chooses what spices he or she prefers- among them sugar, honey, lime, and ginger to enhance taste and nutrients.
Each of these, the waitress explains, has its own benefits to the body.
Preparation procedure
To make uji power, Wanja and her colleagues cook the ingredients (yams, cassava, etc) using a pressure cooker for softening.
Subsequently, the ingredients are blended to make a smooth and fine mixture which they use to prepare the porridge.
Uji power business runs for almost 24 hours- from early in the morning to late hours in the evening.
A bowl of uji power, according to the proprietor, goes for between Ksh50 and Ksh60 depending on the additional spices used to customize your drink.
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Who are taking Uji’s power
Contrary to the imagination that uji power is a preserve for men seeking to boost their libido, the joint’s owner and manager Kelvin Kennedy explains that they serve both genders irrespective of age bracket and class.
Even young ladies are not left out in taking uji power.
Sitting next to me was a middle-aged man. I engaged him to find out his experience with uji power.
In his response, the man told me that he takes at least one bowl in a day, mostly on his way home from work.
When asked about the benefits so far, he notes that uji power helps him to enhance his appetite for food and brings incredible energy.
For those in a hurry or not comfortable with drinking uji power on the streets, the vendors have special mugs used to pack the drinks for takeaway customers.
Benefits
In my chat with Kevin Kennedy, the owner of the joint, I gathered that one should take uji power consistently for better results.
According to him, uji power’s benefits are several and proven ranging from appetite, and libido, to optimizing blood flow.
Further, Kennedy brought one benefit Kenyans could relate with at the moment.
In the wake of high cost of living, Kennedy explains, a section of Nairobians have turned to uji power as their better option.
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Kennedy notes that taking uji power will likely leave your stomach full for a while and as such Kenyans are considering spending Ksh50 on the beverage to cope with the economic constraints.
Insights from diet expert
In the quest to establish the real value of uji power, The Kenya Times sought the opinion of an expert.
Fridah Kisinga, a Clinical Dietician, affirmed that uji power accrues several benefits to the body.
Among them, she notes, are carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins depending on the ingredients added to the beverage.
“Some variants, of uji power can be enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron and vitamin B, which make it a nutritious option,” she told The Kenya Times.
Furthermore, the dietician explained that uji power is easily digestible hence saving customers from constipation and other digestion-related defects.
Due to the rich carbohydrates in the ingredients, Kisinga notes, uji power can also be seen as a quick source of energy.
“Some foods are formulated with functional ingredients known for their potential health benefits. These could be antidioxants, probiotics, or specific herbs and spices,” she explained.
How to best take uji power
According to clinical dietician, the choice of uji power formula should be done in consideration of benefits to the body.
She notes that portion control, for example, is crucial in ensuring that eating some foods in moderation can help mitigate some health problems.
Additionally, Kisinga notes that since uji power benefits from person to person, it is advisable to personalize your formula to suit your needs.
