"The tribals collect the mahua flowers and sell them to 'hoarders' (middlemen) at their weekly village market. The 'hoarders' aggregate these and sell it to either a main hoarder or to those making liquor," says Jeet Singh Arya. Photo: Unexplored Bastar
From selling mahua in used beer bottles (photo: Unexplored Bastar) to DesmondJi's version of it with emphasis on the distillation process, consistency and quality—mahua is pushing the envelope on the image of 'country spirits'. The former is available for around Rs 40 for 700 ml while DJ Mahua is priced at Rs 975 for 750ml.
Mahua flower fermentation and (right) the potstill distillation unit at DesmondJi's distillery.
Picking mahua flowers. Photo: Aniruddha Mookerjee/Native Brews
Desmond Nazareth (extreme right) with the tribals he works with, who are now entrepreneurs in their own right.
