What You Need to Know
The cooking process can take several hours, with temperatures ranging from 80°C to 100°C (176°F to 212°F). The traditional method involves digging a pit, placing heated rocks at the bottom, adding food, and covering it with soil and leaves. The steam from the heated rocks cooks the food, and the pit is often lined with leaves or other materials to retain heat and moisture.
Steps
- 1.
Hangi Pork (North Island Maori): Creates caramelized bark with smoky depth
- 2.
Rewena Paraoa (Fermented Bread) (Taranaki tribes): Steam infusion enhances sourdough complexity
- 3.
Kumara (Sweet Potato) Hangi (East Coast tribes): Slow steaming concentrates natural sugars
The Science
Primary Reaction
gelatinization