Mahuli (wine)

Summary

Mahuli (Odia : ମହୁଲି) is a flower wine used by Tribals in Odisha, Jharkhand.[1] Its prepared from the Mahula (ମହୁଲ) flower. Mahuli wine is an indigenous drink also called mahuwa (or mahua).[2]

Origins edit

Tribal people of Bastar in Chattishgarh and Western & Northern part of Odisha, Santhals of Jharkhand and Tribal people of North Maharashtra, consider the tree and the Mahua drink as part of their cultural heritage. It is an obligatory item during celebration and evening activities.[3]

Preparation edit

The flowers of the Mahula tree are the main ingredient used for preparation. The flowers are fermented to make Mahuli. Pure Mahuli is almost transparent and has a distinct, easily identified smell. Alcohol content in pure Mahuli is about 25-45% depending on the number of distillation processes it has gone through. Mahuli is strong in the drink. Indigenous people usually take it raw. It can be used to make cocktails or mixed with water to dilute it.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ General, India. Office of the Registrar (1972). Census of India, 1961: Orissa. Census of India, 1961. Manager of Publications. p. 73.
  2. ^ Patnaik, N. (2003). Essential Forest Produce in Orissa. Man and forest. D.K. Printworld. p. 121. ISBN 978-81-246-0208-9.
  3. ^ a b Sahu, Amit (20 December 2010). "My Experiment with Indian Liquor". Retrieved 5 May 2017.

Further reading edit

  • Sugato Mukherjee (22 Nov 2022). "Mahua: The Indian liquor the British banned". BBC World Table. Retrieved 10 Mar 2023.
  • "Tradition, Oppression and Resilience is in Every Pour of this Indian Spirit". Wine Enthusiast. 28 Dec 2020. Retrieved 10 Mar 2023.
  • "Muhua Wine: Indian Traditional Alcohol". Arishtam. 17 Mar 2020. Retrieved 10 Mar 2023.
  • "Photos: Making Mahua -- wine from a flower sacred to Chhattisgarh tribes". Hindustan Times. 12 Apr 2018. Retrieved 10 Mar 2023.