Goan Feni Has Tremendous International Business Potential

PANAJI: A research report by the Centre for Promoting Indian Economy (CPIE India) and the Goa Business Promotion Forum (GBPF) states that Feni, the local Goan state drink brewed from ripe cashew apples and coconut has tremendous international potential and can change the fortunes for the cash-starved, tourism dependent state.

Feni which has gained great popularity among tourists, both domestic and international is now being marketed outside the state, but there is no concerted push at its promotion and sales are still stagnant.

And in spite of a Geographical Indicator (GI), Goa has not been able to create brand Feni and turn it into a drink of international repute, akin to the status and credibility that Mexican Tequila and European Snapps.

The main reason is because local Goan manufacturers are simply content selling the brew to local bars and consumers. There is no combined push as an industry to properly package and sell Feni in the international market.

The CPIE India who interviewed almost all the Feni manufacturers in Goa, says international marketing requires substantial standardization, including production methods, quality of raw material particularly the cashew apples, process and QC checks, packaging facilities and even transportation, which many local manufacturers avoid as they are content using their own systems.

High quality or concentrated Feni is difficult to store as it tends to expand or generate vapour when exposed to sunlight or heat, thus causing a hazard if stored for long. It also looses its unique taste and flavour and tends to become sour or obtains a ‘tart’ flavour.

Media reports had also claimed that consumption of feni, after its sustained storage in plastic jars, may prove detrimental as the spirit slowly turns carcinogenic and may cause cancer. This claim has not been proved by extensive studies and research and must be taken with a pinch of salt, opines an expert who has studied the product in depth.

However, he also adds that the rapidly increasing cases of cancer in Goa could have a remote link to the consumption of Feni stored in plastic bottles. “There is need for extensive research on this subject before we can come to any conclusion,” writes the CPIE in their report.

According to a earlier published report attributed to oncologist Dr Suresh Shetye, “Consumption of feni after its storage in PVC jars can lead to oral cancer, blood cancer or others. Once feni is stored in (plastic) jar, it becomes carcinogenic,” Shetye had claimed at a Cancer Day function, without specifying how he came to the particular conclusion.

According to the CPIE, Goan Feni has a great scope for sale in countries like the Middle East, UK, Europe, Australia and Canada where Goans live and work. Goan Feni which is classified and listed among the white spirit segment, mixes easily like gin or vodka.

However there is a great deal of inconsistency in the product as the methods of brewing differ. Many manufacturers brew Feni on a small scale for local sale to few bars and restaurants. The process of crushing the cashew apples, fermenting and distillation differ and fluctuate. The extract obtained from the cashew apples also differs from manufacturer to manufacturer notes Remedios, adding that all these factors bring in a great deal of inconsistency.