Goa’s feni gets first GI tag

Goa has achieved a significant milestone with Ozzo Feni, produced by Cazcar Distillery in Nanora village near Panaji, becoming the first feni in India to receive a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Feni is a traditional Goan spirit made by fermenting and double-distilling either cashew apples or coconut sap. The GI certification recognises the spirit’s unique identity tied to its geographical origin and safeguards it from imitation, enhancing its marketability in India and abroad.

Introduced to India by Portuguese missionaries in the 1600s, the cashew-based liquor has a centuries-old legacy. With this recognition, feni now joins the ranks of region-specific spirits like Scotch whisky and Champagne.

Ozzo Feni adheres strictly to GI norms as cashew apples are locally sourced, and production uses only stainless steel, copper, or glass utensils. The final condensation is done in traditional earthen pots called launi.