Mennonite Beer
Can traditions survive without their unique drinks? Perhaps somewhere else, in another culture, but not among the Mennonites. Whether homebrewed, factory prepared, or instant powder, many Plautdietsch Mennonites can't survive without their traditional iced tea. But when did it become traditional? We'll look at that in another article.
Mennonite beer, as it has been nicknamed, is viewed as the number 1 drink among many of the Low German speaking Mennonites, specially the Kleine Gemeinde and other non-conservative ones. Weddings, funerals, family gatherings, birthdays, etc. are not complete without a cooler of iced tea, even in cold weather. While coffee is just a common drink to any culture in Belize, the iced tea is not popular; non-Mennonite people throughout Belize prefer fruit punch over tea. Among older traditional Mennonites such as Old Colonists and Old Order, hot herbal tea is also frequently used, especially as a medical drink or instead of a cup of coffee.
Some Mennonites like the Beachy and Holdemans (which are made up of different cultures and ethnicities) will usually have 2 drinks at church gatherings: tea and fruit punch known as fresco or juice. Since their church gatherings will often include members from different backgrounds and traditions, they serve both drinks.
But typically the unflavored iced tea is regarded as gringo drink, white Mennonite beer. Fruit flavored tea is only found in bottled drinks or at restaurants. While many dump some ground tea in a jar, add water and sugar, others prefer to brew it just before serving, then adding the sugar and ice. Room temperature tea is not really a drink, it must have ice in it.
NOT THIS KIND
This kind, jah!
Mennonite beer, as it has been nicknamed, is viewed as the number 1 drink among many of the Low German speaking Mennonites, specially the Kleine Gemeinde and other non-conservative ones. Weddings, funerals, family gatherings, birthdays, etc. are not complete without a cooler of iced tea, even in cold weather. While coffee is just a common drink to any culture in Belize, the iced tea is not popular; non-Mennonite people throughout Belize prefer fruit punch over tea. Among older traditional Mennonites such as Old Colonists and Old Order, hot herbal tea is also frequently used, especially as a medical drink or instead of a cup of coffee.
Some Mennonites like the Beachy and Holdemans (which are made up of different cultures and ethnicities) will usually have 2 drinks at church gatherings: tea and fruit punch known as fresco or juice. Since their church gatherings will often include members from different backgrounds and traditions, they serve both drinks.
But typically the unflavored iced tea is regarded as gringo drink, white Mennonite beer. Fruit flavored tea is only found in bottled drinks or at restaurants. While many dump some ground tea in a jar, add water and sugar, others prefer to brew it just before serving, then adding the sugar and ice. Room temperature tea is not really a drink, it must have ice in it.
This kind, jah!
