Raksi
Encyclopedia
Raksi or Rakshi is a traditional distilled alcoholic beverage
in Tibet
and Nepal
. It is often made at home.
Raksi is usually made from kodo millet
(kodo) or rice; different grains produce different flavors. It can even be made from mulberries. It is a strong drink, clear like vodka or gin, tasting somewhat like Japanese sake.
Because of its popularity, there exist various temperance movements in Nepal, including various women's groups. Raksi, however, remains an important requirement of various religious rituals and social events, due in part perhaps to its antiseptic properties.
and during special occasions, the drink is poured from a great height via a pitcher with a small spout, making an entertaining spectacle.
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
in Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
and Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
. It is often made at home.
Millet
The millets are a group of small-seeded species of cereal crops or grains, widely grown around the world for food and fodder. They do not form a taxonomic group, but rather a functional or agronomic one. Their essential similarities are that they are small-seeded grasses grown in difficult...
(kodo) or rice; different grains produce different flavors. It can even be made from mulberries. It is a strong drink, clear like vodka or gin, tasting somewhat like Japanese sake.
Because of its popularity, there exist various temperance movements in Nepal, including various women's groups. Raksi, however, remains an important requirement of various religious rituals and social events, due in part perhaps to its antiseptic properties.
Serving
Raksi is often served in a bhatti glassBhatti glass
A Bhatti glass is a glass used in a bhatti to serve liquor.A bhatti is a common word in Nepali language to refer to a place where locally prepared alcoholic preparations are served. Most of them are conveniently located in almost every settlements and sell Raksi....
and during special occasions, the drink is poured from a great height via a pitcher with a small spout, making an entertaining spectacle.
Production
Raksi is produced, sold and mostly consumed at rustic distilleries scattered around the countryside. Usually it is not aged before consumption. A large amount of wood is used in the distillation process.See also
- JandNepalNepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, a Nepalese drink - ChhaangChhaangChhaang or chang is a Tibetan/Sherpa/Limbu/Newari alcoholic beverage also popular in parts of eastern Himalayas.-Geographical prevalence:...
, a Tibetan and limbu drink - JhaalJhaalJhaal is gotra of Jats found in Jammu District in Jammu and Kashmir....
, a Tibetan drink - AraAra (drink)Ara, or Arag, is a traditional alcoholic beverage consumed in Bhutan. Ara is made from rice, maize, millet, or wheat, and may be either fermented or distilled. The beverage is usually a clear, creamy, or white color.-Production:Ara is most commonly made from rice or maize at private homes or farms...
, a Bhutanese drink