Unlocking the Potential of Umqombothi
20 November 2025
This joint contribution was led by UP-RISE PhD researcher Lungani Nyathi, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Johannesburg, Ghent University, and CNR in Italy.
Umqombothi is a traditional sorghum based beverage valued for its cultural, economic, and nutritional benefits in Southern Africa. This review examines umqombothi within the broader context of other fermented cereal products, focusing on its nutritional benefits, potential technological innovations and safety issues around its consumption. Fermentation generally enhances the bioavailability and bioaccessibility of key nutrients, including vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and health-promoting phenolic compounds.