In brief
- Mauby: a bitter and sweet Caribbean drink, made from infused bark that is then sweetened
- Origin: Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, where it has been sold in the street since the 19th century
- Essential ingredients: mauby bark, cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg, orange peel, cane sugar
- Context: a refreshing drink sold bottled throughout the English-speaking Caribbean, and known as mabi in Haiti
Origins and cultural history of Mauby
Mauby (mavi in Puerto Rico, mabi in Haiti and the Dominican Republic) is a bitter drink made from the bark of Colubrina elliptica, a tree also known as soldierwood, which grows throughout the Caribbean. Its consumption is documented from the 19th century: in Barbados, it spread among the working classes from the 1830s, after the abolition of slavery. In the early 20th century, street vendors, the “mauby women”, carried containers of homemade drink on their heads to sell it in the streets.
Even today, mauby is sold bottled by street vendors in Trinidad and Tobago, enjoyed during Crop Over in Barbados, and made at home in the Dominican Republic as in Puerto Rico.
What are the essential ingredients of Mauby
The mauby recipe combines the bitter bark with spices that soften its pronounced taste.
- Mauby bark
- Cinnamon sticks
- Star anise
- Nutmeg
- Orange peel
- Cane sugar
What to know about Mauby
Mauby is a bitter, sweet drink of the Caribbean, made with mauby bark, from the tree Colubrina elliptica, infused with cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg and orange peel, then sweetened with cane sugar. It is sold in bottles on the street in Trinidad and Tobago, enjoyed during Crop Over in Barbados and made at home in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Its name changes from island to island: mavi in Puerto Rico, mabi in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In its most common form it is a sweet infusion, without fermentation and without alcohol, that keeps for a few days in the refrigerator.
Frequently asked questions about Mauby
Is mauby alcoholic?
No, in its most common version: it is a sweetened infusion, without fermentation. Some family preparations leave the mixture to rest for several days, which develops a slight natural fermentation, but the basic recipe, the one sold in the street, is not alcoholic.
How long does mauby keep once prepared?
Refrigerated in a closed bottle or pitcher, it keeps for a few days. With no added preservative, its taste fades gradually and a slight fermentation can appear over time.
Where to find the ingredients for Mauby in France?
NKOSI does not sell mauby bark, an ingredient still rare outside the Caribbean. The shop does however offer other spices useful for this recipe, such as SAMIA cinnamon sticks and LE GALION cane sugar, and ships them from the Paris area within 24 to 72 working hours, to mainland France (2 to 3 working days) and to ten European countries. The minimum order is 39 €: in France, delivery to a pickup point is then free, and home delivery is free from 69 €.
