FAMOUS DRINK OF GOA

CASHEW FENI

The traditional method of making cashew feni was that the cashew apples were crushed with legs to form a which were then tied by strings. A stone was placed on the top of the cake and there was an outlet to collect the juice.  Nowadays, mechanized machines are used to crush the cashew apples instead.

The juice extracted is known as Neero.

Neero is sometimes used medicinally as a Laxative. The large earthern pot in which the Neero is collected is called the Kodem.  This Kodem is buried in the ground untouched for several days to get the neero fermented. 

Feni is still prepared traditionally in an earthen pot called bhatti. It contains an outlet with a collecting pot . Cold water is continuously on the long outlet pipe and this condensed liquid or distillate is collected.. The initial distillation, known as Urrac which approximates to around 15% alcohol, Urrac is considered as a social drink in Goa and used with Lemon Cordial. Urrac is available only during the summer season when the cashew fruits are abundantly available in Goa.

Feni is the third distillation of the Urrac, which constitutes alcohol of approximately  45%.

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