Feni is as precious & beloved to Goa as tequila is to Mexico, champagne is to France, whisky is to Scotland or Cachaca is to Brazil. The locally brewed alcohol shares a deep relationship with the region and has been seeing a slow but loyally growing appreciative audience. We can't recommend making a good bottle of feni (like Fazenda Cazulo) a staple in your bar.

History of Feni in Goa

Feni is a traditional liquor that has been part of Goan cuisine & culture for the last 400 years. The word feni comes from the Sanskrit word phena which means froth and it is made from fermented cashew apple juice. The cashew fruit that was native to Brazil was bought to Goa by the Portuguese and there's evidence of urrac being consumed by Portuguese nobles as early as 1514.

Feni's Connection to Goa

Feni is not limited to being a hearty alcoholic spirit. Coconut and cashew feni are the two most popular types of feni in Goa.  It finds its way into the heart of food, cultural traditions & legacy. From seafood curries to traditional desserts like Bebinca, Feni adds a unique touch to various recipes, making them authentic to the region. They're also a big part of local festivals like Shigmo, Carnival, and Ganesh Chaturthi and Sao Joao Festival to name a few.

Hansel Vaz & Fazenda Cazulo

It would be a disservice to the world of feni to not mention Hansel Vaz or Fazenda Cazulo when talking about feni's journey in Goa.

Hansel Vaz is a true blue Goan. He's the guy to help you find a great thali, knows every new restaurant in South Goa, has insider news and an expert on all things Goan. Feni got the Geographical Indication (GI) certificate in 2009 and since then he has single-handedly orchestrated the country’s feni revival.

Hansel is a geologist and a fourth generation Vaz and started Fazenda Cazulo in 2017, introducing people to Goa’s first feni tasting.

Fazenda Cazulo is a 100-year-old distillery situated in Cuelim tucked away next to a canopy of trees and a small water body. It currently stores Hansel's collection of garrafões (glass jars used to store feni) and its some of its only kind in the world.

Floating Feni by Fazenda Cazulo

The most immersive way to experience feni is Fazenda Cazulo's bestselling Floating Feni experience. People can enjoy a hands-on feni tasting that explores tasting, learning about feni's history, a pairing with traditional Goan snacks and food and specially curated feni cocktails. In addition, people get to tour the farm, see the processes, and the distillery and learn how it is made.

Hansel has made a benchmark for innovative and experiential tastings in India and the Floating Feni is testament to that.

This experience is perfect for big groups, people that want to dive into Goa's legacy through food and do something unique.

The next time you're in Goa and you're looking to explore the world of feni, The Floating Feni at Fazenda Cazulo is a no brainer! Book here.

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