Latest news with #GoanFeni
Time of India
12-06-2025
- 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
New Indian Express
03-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kannur set to launch its own cashew liquor, inspired by Goan Feni
KANNUR: Raise a toast, 'Kannur Feni' is officially on its way! Payyavoor Service Cooperative Bank has received the final green light to produce low-alcohol cashew liquor, and it's set to make its much-anticipated debut next cashew season. Inspired by the iconic Goan Feni, this homegrown version will be crafted from fresh cashew, distilled right here in Kannur. The idea first took shape in 2016 when the cooperative approached the state government with a bold proposal to turn the region's abundant cashew harvest into a signature spirit. After years of waiting, and an official nod from government in June 2022, the project was held up by regulations. Now, with the assembly subject committee's report approved and the finance department setting tax rates, the stage is finally set. 'Payyavoor and surrounding areas have abundant cashew cultivation. I've nurtured the idea of Kannur Feni since 1990, when I was president of Payyavoor panchayat. It has been a long journey to secure the assembly subject committee's approval. We've applied for the excise licence, and the excise commissioner has assured us it will be granted. We expect to begin production by December this year,' said T M Joshi, president of the bank. The cooperative has earmarked four acres of land in Kankirakolli for the distillery. 'Bringing together local farmers will help ensure quality. We estimate the production cost of one litre of Feni at around `200-250. With 100% excise tax, we expect to price it between `500-600,' Joshi said. However, there's some uncertainty regarding the name. 'We had hoped to call it 'Kannur Feni', but since there is a patent for 'Feni' in Goa, we're cautious about using the term. With excise approval in hand, we'll seek legal advice on this matter,' he said. The licence permits distillation strictly from cashew, with the season running from December to May.
