feni

Feni is a distilled alcoholic beverage from Goa, India. It is traditionally made from the fermented juice of cashew apples, though a second variety is produced from the sap of coconut flowers. Cashew feni, or Kaju feni, is the more widely known form in Goa.

Cashew feni production begins with extracting juice from crushed ripe cashew apples; the juice is allowed to ferment, typically with naturally occurring yeasts. The ferment yields a low-alcohol wash which is then distilled in copper pot stills, producing a strong, aromatic spirit. Coconut feni is produced by fermenting toddy tapped from coconut palms, followed by distillation. In both cases, the first distillation may yield a product called feni and sometimes a second distillation refines the flavor and increases the alcohol content.

Feni has a distinctive fruity, nutty aroma with a dry, clean finish. It is typically around 40 to 45 percent alcohol by volume, though levels can vary with production methods. The flavor can be bold and slightly resinous, especially cashew feni, and it is often enjoyed neat, with water or ice, or used in cocktails.

Regional and cultural aspects: Feni is closely associated with Goa's culinary and social traditions; it is produced by small family-run distilleries across Goa and remains an important regional product. It is legally regulated by state authorities under Goa's excise laws.