It's 'high' time to make 'urrak' in Goa

Rohan Fernandes

The process of preparing Goa's famous drink, urrak, begins by collecting cashew apples from cashews farms.

Goa |Urrak | Jungle juice of Goa | how urrak is made | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

The cashew apples are then taken to the distillery where they are segregated.

Goa|Urrak | Jungle juice of Goa | how urrak is made | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

The fruit is first separated from the cashewnut by hand, a process which is rather time-consuming.

Goa|Urrak | Jungle juice of Goa | how urrak is made | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

The cashew apples are then crushed using the traditional technique of stomping the fruit until all the juice is extracted.

Goa|Urrak | Jungle juice of Goa | how urrak is made | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

Next, the extracted juice is filled in large barrels and left to ferment for 4 to 5 days.

Goa|Urrak | Jungle juice of Goa | how urrak is made | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

The fermentation process is done naturally, and no additives are used.

Goa|Urrak | Jungle juice of Goa | how urrak is made | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

These days, the fermented juice is poured into a drum, whereas, in the good old days, an earthen pot (modkki) was used for the purpose.

Goa|Urrak | Jungle juice of Goa | how urrak is made | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

Finally, the juice is distilled by allowing it to boil on a woodfire for half a day.

Goa|Urrak | Jungle juice of Goa | how urrak is made | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

The final distilled product flows out slowly from the distilling unit and is collected and stored in cans.

Goa|Urrak | Jungle juice of Goa | how urrak is made | Photo: Rohan Fernandes

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