In June 2025, Goa’s Ozzo Feni has secured Geographical Indication (GI) tag from Chennai (TN)-based Geographical Indication Registry (GIR) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I).
- Ozzo Feni which is produced by Cazcar Distillery in Nanora village near Panaji, Goa.
- With this recognition, Feni is now recognised internationally and placed at a status comparable to Scotch in Scotland or Champagne in France.
- Goa is home to several products with GI tags, such as cashew feni, Mancurad mango, Agassaim brinjal, bebinca, Khola chilli, and Harmal chilli.
About Ozzo Feni:
i.Feni is a traditional Indian spirit, well-known in Goa, originally introduced by the Portuguese missionaries who brought cashew plant to Goa in 1600s.
ii.It is made from the fermentation and double distillation of either cashew apples or coconut sap.
iii.The people who made feni were called ‘Bhatikars’ who traditionally used earthen pots or bhatis under fire, to distill the liquor.
- However in today’s modern time, feni is made using copper pots under the coil method.
iv.The juice extracted from the cashew apples, undergoes natural fermentation for 72 hours (hrs) or 3 days before distillation.
- The 1st distillate produced is known as ‘Urak’, a milder form of the spirit, following which 2nd distillation is done by combining urak with a portion of fresh juice which results in feni, a strong, double-distilled spirit.
v.It is bottled at a distillation strength without dilution which means maintaining an Alcohol by Volume (ABV) in the range of 40% to 43%.
Note: The state government of Goa officially declared Feni as the ‘Heritage Spirit of Goa’ in 2016.
About Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:
i.GI tags in India, are administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into force on September 15, 2003.
ii.Darjeeling tea, from West Bengal(WB), holds the distinction of being the 1st Indian product to receive a GI tag in 2004.
iii.The registration of GI is valid for a period of 10 years from date of registration and can be renewed from time to time for a further period of 10 years each.
About Goa:
Chief Minister (CM)- Pramod Sawant
Governor- P.S. Sreedharan Pillai
Capital- Panaji
Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS)- Cotigao WLS, Bhagwan Mahavir WLS
