Overview

In ancient Sumer, “kas” was the Sumerian word for beer, considered a central element of their culture and society. Brewed in large clay jars and offered in temples, kas was also the daily wage of many laborers. Its production was overseen by priestesses in connection to the goddess Ninkasi, patron of brewing. Is that where the word, ‘cash’ comes from?

Cooking Method

• Ingredients: Barley, emmer wheat, dates, water, fermented bread cakes.
  Method: Barley and emmer are sprouted, dried, and ground. Dough is baked into lightly fermented cakes. These are crumbled into water and left to ferment. Dates add sweetness and aid fermentation. The final product is strained through reeds before drinking.

Historical & Cultural Notes

Kas was very important to Sumerian civilization. It was a significant part of their economy, it made social interaction easy, provided vital nourishment, and held deep religious and cultural value. The story of Sumerian beer is not merely about a beverage; it is a story of how the ingenuity and resourcefulness of a civilization created a beverage that became so intricately intertwined in their daily life. It is also a fantastic story of fermentation.

Memory Thread

Perhaps, even today, as someone enjoys a cold beer, a faint whisper of Ninkasi’s ancient blessing lingers in the air. A spark from the world’s first beer.