Goan Feni, a traditional spirit from cashew apples or coconut sap, received a GI tag, recognizing its unique Goa origin. Introduced by Portuguese missionaries in the 1600s, it’s crafted through natural fermentation and double distillation, with a 40-43% ABV, using copper pots, preserving its distinct flavor and cultural heritage.
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Picture Courtesy: TIMESOFINDIA
Goan Feni, a traditional spirit from Goa, has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
It is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
Legal Protection => In India, GI tags are administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
Purpose => The tag prevents unauthorized use of a product's name and assures consumers of its authenticity and quality.
Validity => A GI registration is valid for 10 years and can be renewed.
Significance => It boosts exports, promotes the economic prosperity of producers in a geographical territory, and helps preserve traditional knowledge.
Cashew Feni was awarded the GI tag. The Goa government had earlier declared Feni as the 'Heritage Spirit of Goa' in 2016.
The name 'Feni' is derived from the Sanskrit word phena, which means 'froth'. This refers to the bubbles that form when the liquor is shaken or poured.
The Two Types of Feni
Cashew Feni (Kaju Feni) => This is the more popular and GI-tagged version. It has a strong, pungent, and fruity aroma with a distinct taste. Its alcohol by volume (ABV) is between 40-45%.
Coconut Feni => Made from the fermented sap (toddy) of the coconut palm, this was the original Feni. It is generally milder and smoother than its cashew counterpart.
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While coconut Feni predates colonial rule, Cashew Feni's history began in the 16th and 17th centuries when the Portuguese introduced cashew trees from Brazil to Goa. Initially planted for soil conservation, the locals soon discovered the potential of the cashew apple for distillation. |
The production of Feni is a laborious, four-step process passed down through generations of distillers, known as bhatikars. The process is entirely natural, without the addition of artificial yeast or flavors.
Step1 Harvesting: Only ripened cashew apples that have naturally fallen from the trees are collected by hand. This ensures optimal sweetness and quality of the juice.
Step 2 Juice Extraction: The collected apples are brought to a stone basin called a colmbi. Workers stomp on the apples with their feet to extract the juice. This traditional method is gentle and prevents the breaking of the nut, which can impart a bitter taste. The extracted juice is called neero.
Step 3 Fermentation => The juice is collected and fermented naturally in large earthen pots (matheche bhann) which are often buried underground for about three days. This natural fermentation process contributes to Feni's unique flavor profile.
Step 4 Distillation => The fermented juice is then distilled in traditional copper pot stills (bhatti). Cashew Feni undergoes a double or even triple distillation process:
Feni is a part of every celebration, from births and weddings to religious festivals, symbolizing hospitality and togetherness. It is also used in traditional medicine for ailments like colds and fevers.
The Feni industry, comprising thousands of small, family-run distilleries, provides a livelihood for many Goans, from the farmers who grow the cashews to the distillers themselves.
Feni distilleries and tasting tours are becoming a tourist attraction, offering visitors an authentic taste of Goan heritage and boosting the local economy.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements regarding the legal framework and characteristics of Geographical Indications in India: 1. The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, allows for the registration of GIs for agricultural, natural, and manufactured goods, but specifically excludes services. 2. A registered GI is valid for an initial period of 20 years, after which it enters the public domain and cannot be renewed. 3. The GI tag is granted to a specific product from a defined geographical territory, and its ownership is vested in a community or an association of persons, not an individual producer. How many of the above statements are correct? A) Only one B) Only two C) All three D) None Answer: B Explanation: The government of India enacts the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, to protect and register GIs. Statement 1 is correct. The Act defines goods as "any agricultural, natural or manufactured goods or any goods of handicraft or of industry" and includes foodstuffs. It does not extend protection to services, focusing solely on tangible products originating from a specific geographical area. Statement 2 is incorrect. A registered GI holds an initial validity for a period of 10 years, not 20. The Act allows for the renewal of the registration for subsequent periods of 10 years each. This ensures that the protection is perpetual as long as the producers' association continues to renew it, preventing it from falling into the public domain. Statement 3 is correct. The fundamental principle of a GI is its collective nature. An individual producer cannot own a GI tag. The rights are held collectively by the association of producers or the community from the specified region who adhere to the standards laid down in the GI registry. This ensures that the benefits are shared and quality is maintained collectively. |
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