DIY: How to make dry pap from the comfort of your house
Dry pap is a powdery form of pap that can be stored for a longer period compared to the wet form. Here are the steps to make dry pap powder:
Soak the maize/corn: Soak dried corn in water for 3 – 4 days. After that sieve, change the water and grind.
Removal of water: Sieve the watery pap in a basket and dispose the shaft. Cover your pap and allow it to settle. At this stage the water will come up, sieve and bag the pap to remove excess water.
Spread the pap: Spread the pap on a flat surface, such as a tray or baking sheet. Allow it to dry completely in the sun or you can use a dehydrator.
Grind the pap: Once the pap is completely dry, grind it into a fine powder using a blender or food processor.
Sieve the powder: Sieve the pap powder to remove any lumps or coarse particles.
Store the powder: Store the pap powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
It is important to note that some recipes suggest fermenting the cornmeal or maize flour before cooking the pap to enhance the flavor and nutritional value. The fermentation process can take up to 3-4 days and involves soaking the cornmeal or maize flour in water until it begins to ferment.
Once the fermentation process is complete, the cornmeal or maize flour is cooked into pap and then dried and ground into a powder as described above.