Latest news with #CazcarDistillery
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Goan Feni gets GI Tag: What makes it a special beverage
A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a certification that identifies a product as originating from a specific region, where its quality, reputation, or distinct characteristics are essentially linked to that location. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As per the latest report, Goan Feni, popularly known as Ozzo Feni, has also received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Reportedly, it is produced by Cazcar Distillery in Nanora village near Panaji. For the unversed, feni is a traditional Indian spirit native to Goa, and is made from the fermentation and double distillation of either cashew apples or coconut sap. It's a strong, clear liquor with a unique flavour. If food historians are to be believed, the Portuguese missionaries brought the cashew plant trees to Goa in the 1600s and introduced the cashew apple to the region. They also introduced the method of distillation, which was then passed on to the locals. The people who made feni were called bhatikars, who used earthen pots or bhatis under a fire. Today, copper pots under the coil method are used to make Feni. The juice is fermented naturally for 72 hours, and then distilled twice. The ABV (alcohol by volume) is between 40 to 43 per cent. What study says? As per a , cashew feni production is a relatively laborious and lengthy process that does not require specialized equipment. It is a four-step process consisting of the harvesting of cashew apples, juice extraction through stomping with feet, natural fermentation in earthen pots, and subsequent distillation and condensation in a clay still over a low wood fire. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The distilled Feni is then aged for a couple of months and bottled. This is not the only local produce that has received the GI tag in recent times. Even betel leaf, or paan patta, or Kumbakonam vetrilai, was recently granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Government of India, recognizing its regional uniqueness and cultural significance. Thumb and Embed Images Courtesy: istock
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Goan feni is GI-tagged: A milestone for this homegrown spirit
Goa has achieved a milestone moment as Ozzo Feni, produced by Cazcar Distillery in Nanora village near Panaji, has become the first-ever feni to receive a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in India. This means that feni is now recognised for its unique preparation in a specific geographical location (Goa, in this case) and protects it from other imitations and increases its marketability factors both domestically and internationally. Feni is a traditional Indian spirit, well-known in Goa, made from the fermentation and double distillation of either cashew apples or coconut sap. It's a strong, clear liquor with a unique flavour profile and a history spanning centuries. Feni was introduced to India by the Portuguese missionaries in the 1600s when they came to trade. They brought with them cashew plant trees and also the method of distillation, which was then passed on to the locals. The people who made feni were called bhatikars, who used earthen pots or bhatis under a fire. Today, copper pots under the coil method are used to make Feni. The juice is fermented naturally for 72 hours, and then distilled twice. Receiving the GI tag means that feni is now recognised globally and placed at a status comparable to Scotch in Scotland or Champagne in France. The brand, which makes it strictly adheres to all the regulations of GI certification, sources the cashew apples from Goa, and all utensils used are stainless steel, copper or glass. The condensation of feni takes place in earthen mud clays called launi. Darjeeling tea was the first product in India to get a GI tag in 2004 and is known for its special aroma and light taste. Alphonso mangoes from Maharashtra, famous for their sweet and rich flavour, were awarded the GI tag in 2018. Bikaneri Bhujia, a crispy and spicy snack from Bikaner, Rajasthan, received its GI tag in 2008. Other GI-tagged foods include Kashmiri saffron, prized for its deep colour and strong aroma, which was granted the GI tag in 2020. Manipuri black rice, known for its rich nutrients and beautiful purple colour, earned its GI status in 2020.
