Mahua (Tribal Distilled Liquor from Mahua Flowers)
A phantom elixir of tribal gods! Intense sweet-scented spirits dripping from the forest flowers
Description
Traditional local liquor of indigenous people (Adivasi) fermenting/distilling gathered flowers of 'Mahua tree' growing wild in Central Indian forests. Tequila-like plant grassiness and flower sweet aromas coexist.
Restaurants serving Mahua (Tribal Distilled Liquor from Mahua Flowers)
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On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Mahua(Distilled liquor)
- Water(for diluting)
Instructions
- [For
- Servings/Ingredients] 120ml Mahua (traditional Mahua flower distilled liquor), room-temp water (for diluting, optional),
- small unglazed cups (Kulhad), unglazed roasted peanuts or chickpea snacks.
- Near deep forests in Central India (Madhya Pradesh state etc.), at a small village pub, prepare
- small 'unglazed vessels (Kulhad)' like those for drinking Chai.
- Pour 60ml each 'glug-glug' of slightly cloudy (or clear) distilled liquor 'Mahua' made in local stills into vessels.
- Bringing face to glass, sweet fermented flower aromas, 'plant-unique earthy grassy smells' similar to Tequila/Mezcal, and intense alcohol punch hit nose directly.
- Without ice, hold a sip straight at room temp (or adding little water). Right after throat-burning near 40% ABV alcohol feel, floral sweetness derived from Mahua flowers spreads softly in mouth.
- Biting rustic peanuts or salt-boiled beans served alongside, sit in a circle with village men washing it down 'gulp'. The peak of spiritual traditional liquor indigenous Indians have used as offerings to gods and loved as forest blessings for millennia.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
None(Mahua flower aroma)
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Mezcal or 100% Agave Tequila (as sub for plant-derived wild distilled liquor)
Pairing
Salt-boiled chickpeas、Unglazed roasted peanuts
Trivia
[Hardcore] 'Mahua' tree is the 'tree of life' for indigenous people becoming food, medicine, and liquor raw material. Holds sad history of being strictly regulated as 'dangerous moonshine' during British rule, but recently re-evaluated as 'Heritage liquor India can boast to the world' amidst movements reviewing Indian traditional culture; premium bottled craft Mahua also started selling in urban areas.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Drinking] Pickle 'ginger' or 'black pepper' in Mahua liquor making intense spice liquor, washing down instantly when catching a cold or on cold winter nights to forcibly warm body!
Allergen
None