Post #198917 by captnkirk on Sat, Nov 19, 2005 7:27 AM

I have five books by Trader Vic on my book shelf including the 1972 Bartender Guide.

I too can find no mention by Trader Vic of Bongo juice. They do have a Bongo-Bongo soup. It is a cream soup with oysters and spinach puree in it so I think this has nothing to do with Bloody Mary #2 (or at least I hope so). We have a least one Trader Vic bartender on Tiki Central maybe he can help.

There is a "Bongo juice" which is available in African markets in the UK where it is sold in cartons (maybe other places too). It is the juice of the Mbungu fruit a sweet yellow fruit which grows in forested regions of Africa.

Here are some links I found on the internet.
http://www.naturalhub.com/natural_food_guide_fruits_uncommon_Landolphia_spp.htm
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Products/AFDbases/af/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=18051

Imagine a citrus drink which tastes like oranges and passion fruit, but comes from the fruits of a liana named the Rubber Vine (!) Saba comorensis (Bojer) Pichon. The local name for the drink is Mbungo, (tourists corrupt this to "bongo juice"!) and many bars on the island will sell you this delicious drink!

Make sure you try some bongo juice ... a rotten looking fruit that grows only here on Pemba and is delicious.