Diversity of Traditional Processing of Tchakpalo, an Indigenous Beer from Benin

d’Avila DOGNON¹, Agossou Damien Pacôme NOUMAVO^{1, 2,} , Sènan VODOUHE³, Lucile ADJOVI¹, Joseph BRAVO¹, Yanik Yaï AKIN⁴, Nicodème Worou Chabi⁵, Adolphe ADJANOHOUN⁶ and Farid BABA-MOUSSA¹

¹Laboratory of Microbiology, Food Technology and Phytopathology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin

²Laboratory of Biology and Molecular Typing in Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin

³Laboratory of Applied Genetics, Biotechnology and Botany, National Higher School of Biosciences and Applied Biotechnologies, National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics, Benin

⁴Laboratory of Biomathematics and Forest Estimations, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin

⁵Unit of Biochemistry and Molecular Markers in Nutrition, Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin

⁶National Agronomic Research Institute of Benin, Cotonou, Benin

Cite this paper:
d’Avila DOGNON, Agossou Damien Pacôme NOUMAVO, Sènan VODOUHE, Lucile ADJOVI, Joseph BRAVO, Yanik Yaï AKIN, Nicodème Worou Chabi, Adolphe ADJANOHOUN and Farid BABA-MOUSSA. Diversity of Traditional Processing of Tchakpalo, an Indigenous Beer from Benin. American Journal of Food Science and Technology. 2026; 14(3):63-73. doi: 10.12691/ajfst-14-3-1

Abstract

Originally associated with the sociocultural groups of Central Benin, Tchakpalo, a traditional beninese beer, has gradually spread throughout the country. This study aimed to establish the socio-professional profile of vendors and to document the new production practices of Tchakpalo. Hence semi-structured survey combined with direct observations of Tchakpalo vendors were carried out in the five municipalities of Southern Benin. The study indicates that this trade is strongly dominated by women (97.52%), aged 35 to 54 (87.60%), mostly educated (64.46%) and married (75.21%). They have at least five years of experience (78.51%). However, some have been working in this field for over 15 years (30.58%) and some practise this activity exclusively (42.97%). Nevertheless, Tchakpalo trade allows them to contribute significantly to their families’ financial needs (100%). A large diversity of production practices has been registered through the study area. Thus, maize is the most used raw material in Tchakpalo production. Five technological variants of Tchakpalo production have been identified (DFM: Double-Fermented Maize; MFM: Mono-Fermented Maize; NFM: No-Fermented Maize; MFMS: Mono-Fermented Maize-Sorghum; NFMS: No-Fermented Maize-Sorghum). Each variant presented the same unit operations while the number, sequence, operating conditions, additives, and production equipment differ from a variant to another. The Mono-Fermented Maize (MFM) variant is the most commonly used by producers (37.70%). The results of this study provide a solid scientific database for projects to promote this beer, which is emblematic of Benin's food heritage.

Keywords:
maize sorghum gender technological diagram traditional processing diversity

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