Whereas Tequila continues to be the selection of many internationally, a lesser recognized spirit is stepping out of obscurity and onto the worldwide stage.
Typically labelled India’s ‘best-kept secret’, Feni is a distilled spirit originating from the Indian state of Goa. It’s usually made out of fermented cashew apples or coconut sap, and has been distilled for generations alongside the Konkan coast.
Now, London’s ‘first’ artistic drinks lab and studio Room Two, which is claimed to be the brains behind among the metropolis’s ‘most-talked-about events’, is putting Feni on the coronary heart of the trendy cocktail dialog.
“Feni has the cultural heritage of mezcal, the complexity of a positive agricole rum, and the kick of Tequila, however what shocked me most is how easy coconut Feni is – it’s simply one of many cleanest spirits I’ve ever tried. And most of the people exterior India have by no means tasted it,’’ defined Matt Kern, co-founder of Room Two. “We predict that’s about to vary.”
Feni was granted a geographical indication (GI) in 2009, which was renewed for an extra 10 years in April 2022. It joins different Indian GIs reminiscent of Alphonso mangoes.
The 2 hottest kinds of the spirit are cashew Feni and coconut Feni, with the previous being notably well-known.
It’s made out of the fruit of the cashew tree (in any other case referred to as anacardium occidentale), which is fermented after which distilled. It’s recognized for its fruity flavour with notes of tropical fruits and a touch of pepper, in addition to a definite nuttiness.
In the meantime the coconut variant is made out of the sap of the coconut palm, and has a unique flavour profile in contrast with cashew Feni, which frequently has refined, floral, and tropical notes.
As well as, different kinds of feni embody botanical Feni, which is described as just like gin, and a liqueur-style conserva Feni. There are additionally blended kinds of the spirit.
Feni is usually distilled utilizing conventional clay pot stills or copper stills, and is typically aged in miri wooden tanks earlier than bottling.
To discover its roots, the Room Two workforce travelled to Goa and partnered with Goenchi Feni, a family-run producer championing conventional distillation. “We have been excited to get on the market – to fulfill native mixologists and cooks, and to find new components firsthand,” Kern mentioned.
“I used to be instantly drawn to Feni and the entire bar scene in Goa generally. The bartenders and cooks there are severely dialled into their environment – the way in which they use native components is on one other stage. It’s what makes Goa really feel like some of the thrilling and progressive drink locations on this planet.”
He added: “Being surrounded by the uncooked supplies and power of the place gave us an actual sense of what makes Feni so particular. We got here again with a set of cocktails that keep true to its character – daring, earthy, and lively, however with a clear, refined twist that works fantastically in a contemporary setting.”
Room Two believes that Feni is ready to be Gen Z’s ‘subsequent liquid obsession’ on account of the demographic’s curiosity and experimental nature, noting that Feni’s pure manufacturing strategies, surprising flavour, and under-the-radar standing make it really feel like a discovery.
As well as, the corporate notes that the spirit boasts greater than 400 years of custom, and is usually nonetheless handmade by Goan households utilizing ancestral strategies. Nonetheless, it says that in contrast to Tequila and mezcal, it hasn’t but been formed – or diluted – by worldwide markets, making it each an heirloom spirit and a frontier class.
“It’s an untapped class – and that makes it ripe for creativeness,” Kern added. “We’re all the time into spirits that include a little bit of chaos and an excellent story – and Feni’s acquired each. It holds its personal in opposition to the most effective mezcals or Tequilas on the market, no query. And it’s versatile – combine it with soda, recent juice, a little bit of chai, no matter’s in your fridge – it goes down extremely simply.
“Feni’s the form of spirit that makes you cease mid-sip and go: ‘wait, what is that this?’ It’s surprising, thrilling, and positively slept-on.”
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