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Lao Lao, a Traditional Alcohol from Lao PDR

The main ingredient of alcoholic beverages is closely related to the staple foods of the people who consume them. For instance, the indigenous people of North and South America, who were largely(though not exclusively) hunter-gatherers, consumed various alcoholic beverages made from a wide array of fruits, berries, and other wild plants. In Lao PDR, where rice is the staple, a rice-based alcoholic drink called laolao is commonly consumed. Let’s learn more about this traditional beverage.

Nutrient-rich Makgeolli made from Rice

The Lao beverage lao lao, and makgeolli from Korea have something in common: the main ingredient for both is rice. Makgeolli, the oldest alcoholic drink in Korea, is made by mixing rice or wheat with a leavening agent and water to ferment. Makgeolli has long been treasured by common people. It is rich in protein, lactobacillus, and yeast, but low in calories and has a moderate alcohol content.In Korea, there are also foods that use makgeolli, such as sulppang and sultteok. Many people pair makgeolli with food because it goes very well with many Korean dishes. In recent years, it has seen a rise in popularity outside of Korea, thanks to its perception as a more healthful alternative to other alcoholic drinks.

Lao Lao, a Beverage Requiring Hard Work

Lao lao is made from sticky rice through a fermentation process that takes several weeks, unlike Korean makgeolli. Most lao lao is produced in small scale, home-based operations using clay jars for fermentation, and large metal drums over an open flame for distillation.The distillation process is extraordinarily difficult, as the fire must be kept at a consistent temperature over the course of a full day.Every round of distillation produces an extra-potent first bottle, which can reach up to seventy percent alcohol.The spirit can be found regularly in bars throughout the country.In Lao PDR, there is a custom of drinking it together in groups with long bamboo straws. It is also frequently enjoyed at important events or meetings. While guests sit around and drink the spirit, it is also customary for the host to play the khene, a traditional musical instrument.Although Korea and Lao PDR make alcohol from the same ingredients, we have different manufacturing methods and cultures. The next time you go out for drinks, try tasting makgeolli and laolao and enjoy the distinctive flavors of these two beverages with long traditions behind them.