Tapai, also
tape (pronounced "tah-pay"), is a traditional
fermented food of
Indonesia, although present in some form throughout
South-East Asia. It can be made from various starchy staple foods including
grains and
tubers, each giving it a distinctive taste and texture, and often a specific local name. Tapai tastes sweet, tangy, a bit yeasty, and is slightly alcoholic (or not so slightly, if left to ferment longer).
The tapai will ferment over the next 2 to 3 days. After about two days, it should start to show a little liquid at the bottom of the jar, and will start producing a distinctive smell of tapai. At this point, the tapai can be considered complete, although it will taste better after a couple of days kept in the refrigerator.
Its usually use as a dessert either eat it straight away or mix with ice cream.
The starter look like crumbly little white balls, about 2-3cm (1 inch) in diameter