Rwanda’s milk bars

This is a bar, but they don't serve alcohol here instead, they serve milk. What? Fabrice is the grandson of the owner of Kuruhimbi Milk Bar in Kigali, Rwanda. I asked him, why is it called a milk bar? Because you only have milk. That's right, they don't even serve water. They've become a sensation on TikTok after tourists discovered them. Now, some people come to Rwanda specifically for them. I went to find out what the hype was all about. It tastes different than the milk in the US, I have to say. This is a lot more refreshing. I don't want to, you know, start a fight with anybody, but this is delicious milk. But for the community here, milk bars are part of everyday life. You can find fresh milk, hot or cold, and fermented milk, but the one thing you can't find is milk in a carton. I just started this milk bar in 2011 when I was almost five after work. I just said that I'm not going to sit, just make a milk bar, and I will make a change. Because when people sell milk that contains water and it is not having nutrients that some people can just get and obtain, that is very good. That's why we just make a decision. Milk's significance is closely tied to cows, which have long symbolized national identity, wealth and social standing. It was also used to combat child malnutrition as the country's infrastructure collapsed following the 1994 genocide, contributing to what later became known as the milk revolution. Fresh milk is so popular here that these places are usually packed with locals and tourists. But the health ministry is advising people to cut back. Because too much milk could lead to heart disease, issues with obesity, and you know how they say milk could strengthen your bones? Well, too much of it could do the opposite. Since we've arrived at the place, it's never once been empty. People either come for a glass of milk and leave, or buy gallons to take home. I even tried some fermented milk myself, and I have to say it was better than I expected it to be. What about you? Would you like to have a milk bar in your town?