Rendang: The treasure of Minangkabau

Rendang is a traditional food originating from West Sumatra and prepared by Minangkabau people. Rendang is commonly made with beef (especially tenderloin) with special sauce containing a high amount of coconut milk. In the past, Minangkabau people prepared rendang in such a way that it has long shelf life and could be stored during long journeys. The long shelf life of rendang is thought to be contributed by the spices used during the cooking process. Nowadays, rendang is known worldwide, but its history and cultural significance are given less attention. In this article, the history and philosophy of rendang as the treasure of Minang people is discussed. To date, it is believed that rendang originated from India because of its similarity to Indian curry. The long cooking process of rendang has its own philosophy about patience, wisdom, and sincerity. Proper choice of beef, spice mix, control of heat, cooking duration, and stirring technique affect the taste of rendang. Traditionally, rendang is served during special occasions and to special people.