Fenny

For other uses, see Feni.

Cashew apples after plucking in Chorao, Goa

Feni or fenny is a spirit made from either coconut or the juice of the cashew apple in the Indian state of Goa. Feni is classified as a 'country liquor', and is therefore not sold outside the state of Goa.^{[citation needed]} Goa has registered for a geographical indicator that would allow it to claim the sole right to term the drink created in the region as feni or "Goan cashew feni".

The word feni is derived from the Sanskrit word phena ("froth"); this is thought to be because of the light froth that forms when the liquor is shaken in a bottle or poured into a glass.

Preparation

Cashew apples being squashed in Chorao, Goa

According to the traditional method of making cashew feni, the cashew apples are first crushed and formed into a cake that is tied with string or rope. The cake is placed in a stone basin with an outlet for the juice, called a coimbi, and a heavy weight (typically a boulder) is placed on top. The juice expressed through this process is known as niro, and is sometimes used medicinally as a laxative.^{[citation needed]}. The niro is collected in a large earthen pot called a kodem, which is buried in the ground and left while the juice ferments for several days.

Traditional distilling methods for feni, known as bhatti, use an earthenware still consisting of a boiler (known as a bhann) and a collecting pot (launni). Cold water is continuously poured on the launni to aid in condensing the distillate. The initial distillation is known as urrak (Arrack) and is about 15% alcohol (30 proof). Urrak may be consumed neat or mixed with soda or other soft drinks.^{[citation needed]} To prepare feni, the urrak is distilled again to increase the alcohol content. Feni is the second or third distillation of the urrak, and can be up to 45% alcohol (90 proof).

Commerce

There are thousands of traditional mini-distilleries or stills in Goa that manufacture either cashew feni or coconut feni. Some of the popular commercial brands of feni are Cashyo, Reals and Big Boss.

Usage

High-grade feni is 40% alcohol by volume. Feni is often used in cocktails; three common mixers are cola, tonic water and lemonade, with the latter probably the most popular. However, feni can also be enjoyed on its own, on the rocks, or with a slice of lime, and sometimes with sugar or sugar syrup added.

Geographical indication

A bottle of Big Boss cashew feni

Cashew feni recently got its GI registration as a speciality alcoholic beverage from Goa, described as a colourless, clear liquid that when matured in wooden barrels develops golden brown tint. This designation was achieved through the efforts of the Goa Cashew Feni Distillers & Bottlers Association and the Department of Science, Technology & Environment of the Government of Goa.

See also

• List of Indian drinks

External links

• GoaFeni.com
• GoaCashewFeni.com
• Hic, hic! Hiccups for Goa’s feni industry
• Goa's feni shows sharp decline in production
• Warwick on Feni
• http://www.ip-watch.org/2008/04/09/seeking-gi-protection-for-feni-an-indian-brew-with-a-strong-whiff/
• Feni... pure and impure, video on adulteration of feni in Goa -- part English, part Konkani