Sure you have heard of feni, that alcohol double distilled from the cashew fruit. But do you know there is just so much to the cashew fruit than feni.
Take urrak for example. Urrak, is fermented cashew juice distilled just once and is one of the most popular drinks in Goa to beat the summer heat. It may not as potent as feni, when it comes to alcoholic content, but urrak can get you intoxicated even before you know it. The drink is available in most taverns in Goa during the months of summer when the fruit is harvested and has a short shelf life. Over the last few years, this popular tavern drink has upped in matters of social prestige, making it to the bar counters at well-known restaurants in Goa.
Niro on the other hand is a tough one to feast on. Unknown to many, the unsung drink Niro, is the last remaining juice of the cashew fruit, which is drawn by placing a large stone on pile of fruit already squeezed for juice. Clear, non alcoholic and extremely delicious and the fact that it is difficult to obtain, is one of the reasons which makes niro one of the most sought after drinks during summer. In normal circumstances, you would have to trek to a cashew distillery to buy niro and because it is easily perishable, it certainly isn’t available at the store nearest to you.
