India’s first Alcohol Museum in Goa – Free PDF Download

• Goa which is known for its locally brewed drink ‘feni’ has got the gift of the first of its kind alcohol museum which is called ‘All about Alcohol’.

• It is started by local businessman Nandan Kudchadkar, who is a collector of antiques, the museum ‘All About Alcohol’ located in the tiny beach village of Candolim, houses hundreds of artefacts linked to feni, including large, traditional glass vats in which the local cashew-based alcohol was stored centuries ago.

• The objective behind starting the museum was to make the world aware of Goa’s rich heritage, especially the story of feni and the legacy of the alcohol trail from Brazil to Goa.
• Through its collection of artifacts which hold immense historical importance, this one of its kind museum situated at Candolim gives its visitors an insight into Goa’s rich heritage and culture.

• In the days of yore, Goa was labeled as the ‘Rome of the East’ and now, this museum attempts to preserve heritage in a captivating way.
• Acting as a storehouse for ancient alcohol-producing equipment like utensils, glass, bottles, ‘All About Alcohol’ aims to provide an insightful peek into Goa’s history.
• The two popular types of Feni Goa is known for are- Coconut Feni and Cashew Feni.
• In terms of production, Coconut Feni is older than Cashew Feni.
• Originally the locals made Feni with coconut which was available in abundance in Goa.
• But later cashew tree was introduced to India by the Portuguese colonists which became the new source of this liquor.
• The alcohol content in Feni is 43-45%, which makes this drink very strong and smelly. The aroma is indicative of a carefully crafted Feni.
• Feni’s strength was traditionally measured by looking at the size of the bubbles formed when it’s poured into a glass.
• Today, distillers use alcohol meters or take a sip to infer the quality of the tipple.

Historical Background

• The cashew nut plant was first believed to be imported into Goa by its colonial rulers, the Portuguese, from Brazil in the 1700s.
• Both Brazil and Goa share a common Lusophonian colonial influence. After the plant was brought to the shores of Goa, cashew has taken root in Goa and so has feni.
• Cashew feni is distilled from fermented juice extracted from the cashew apple and is a popular alcoholic beverage in Goa.
• The cashew apple is harvested from orchards by farmers, who lease the tracts from the government every season.
• The juice from the apples is then fermented and distilled using traditional equipment.
• Distilled once, the fermented juice transforms into a popular mildly intoxicating summer drink called ‘urrak’, while once double distilled, the drink is referred to as feni.
• Feni is also blended with spices like clove, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon to make another variation called ‘masala feni’.
• A similar process is also used to distill coconut feni from palm toddy.
• Cashew feni is also the country’s first indigenous liquor to obtain the Geographical Indication tag, a process which was initiated by local manufacturers of the brew in 2009.
• Feni, a drink commonly and socially consumed by the local residents of the coastal state, was notified as the state heritage drink by the Goa government in 2016 in a bid to allow its manufacturers to market it globally on the lines of scotch and tequila.

Medicinal Uses

• Feni is used for combating cough and cold.
• It is also used as a cure for tooth problems, gum issues, swelling and some types of mouth ulcers.
• Some believe that it also helps in reducing fat when served along with dishes.
• It warms the body and cleanses the respiratory system.
• It also helps in treating constipation and other stomach related problems.
• Feni has antiseptic properties which helps in curing wounds and cuts.
• It helps in cleansing the body and inducing proper bowel movement.

Q) Consider the following Statement :

1. Maize can be used for the production of starch.
2. Oil extracted from maize can be a feedstock for biodiesel.
3.  Alcoholic beverage can be produced by using maize.

Which of the following statement given above is /are correct?

1. Only 1
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4.  1, 2 and 3

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