jamu-class-lessons-tugu-bali Jamu Making Classes in Bali

A unique Jamu making class in Bali is one of the most enjoyable activities I have seen a hotel or resort offer. Many hotels then offered local cooking classes, but here at Hotel Tugu in Bali, a traditional Indonesian herb mixing class was on the main menu.

During my stay here in June 2011, I was introduced to this unique Jamu class, and hearing about it got me all excited. I had heard about traditional Jamu before, but I did not know how it was created.

Jamu Making Class in Bali

What is Jamu? It is a form of traditional Indonesian herbal medicine made from natural ingredients and materials found locally. Its origins date back nearly 1300 years to the Hindu Mataram Kingdom.

Nowadays, Jamu is widely used by many local Indonesian women and men alike, mainly for all kinds of common ailments, ranging from infertility to increasing libido. People in Bali and Java depend on these drinks for their health, energy, strength, body-mind balance, and internal and external radiance, which is not catching up in the Western world.

jamu-hut-tugu-hotel-bali Jamu Making Classes in Bali

Jamu classes are held in Bali.

My experience started at a beautiful open hut in the hotel garden, where ingredients were carefully laid out on a wooden table. An antique cabinet stored ready-made products, while jars containing natural herbs, roots, and powders were on a wooden shelf.

The head Jamu teacher, Mak Nengah, arrived and greeted me in Indonesia, asking me to take a seat. I was told she is one of the few local experts in making Jamu in Bali and teaches this trade to willing students.

jamu-classes-tugu-bali-indonesia Jamu Making Classes in Bali

An antique wooden cabinet displaying jamu items.

jamu-making-class-tugu-hotel-bali Jamu Making Classes in Bali

Various ingredients for making Jamu.

As Mak Nengah took her seat, she invited me to sit in front of her and also take a bowl, but I politely refused as I wanted to capture her on video and photograph. I then sat on the wooden bench, observing how she started by cutting some garlic and then pounding it.Next, she mixed them into a bowl of water, grated a piece of garlic, and mixed it together. More herbs and ingredients were added, and then they were pounded.

jamu-making-class-herbs-tugu-hotel-bali Jamu Making Classes in Bali — Jamu herbs at Tugu Hotel Bali.

jamu-classes-tugu-hotel-bali Jamu Making Classes in Bali

Jamu classes in Bali, Indonesia.

Next, an assortment of dry herbs is added to the mixture with more pounding. Finally, some mineral water is added to the mixture, giving it a good stir. After that, natural banana leaves are sifted into a glass, where the sediments are caught. It is left for a few seconds to drip completely. A piece of lime is then cut and squeezed into the glass, followed by a liquid and solid herb, then remixed.

Jamu Making Classes Video in Hotel Tugu Bali

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Some of the oils are at the stall.

jamu-drink-for-men-tugu-hotel-bali Jamu Making Classes in Bali

Indonesian jamu for men.

After the five-minute process, the mixture was completed and served to me. Out of curiosity, I asked what kind of jam it was. She replied that it was a jamu for men, which helped with blood circulation and relaxation.I downed it with no hesitation, as I was lacking both. This was indeed a unique experience for me in Bali, and apparently, I was told that this is one of the two places in Bali that offers these classes and demonstrations. You can also read my other article about the Hotel Tugu in Bali, which I reviewed. It is a beautiful luxury boutique hotel.

Hotel Tugu Bali Address and Contact;
Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu Beach, Bali-Indonesia
Telephone: +62 361 4731 701 +62 8786 1838 680 +62 8123 691 6091
Fax. +62 361 4731 708
Reservations and General enquiries: bali@tuguhotels.com
Sales and Marketing enquiries: sales@tuguhotels.com

Conclusion

For those of you interested in attending special classes like this, you can contact Hotel Tugu, as they should be able to arrange for this. If you have completed the cooking classes, then it is now time to explore the world of the Jamu class in Bali, Indonesia.

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