Let’s admit, not all of us love the idea of backpacking as much as we pretend to. You may want to do it only because everyone else around you is doing it, not because there’s some real motivation. So leaky is here to leak some knowledge, some solid (or liquid *wink wink*) motivation to back pack to the unexplored treasures of North East India. Hell yeah, we are talking about amaze-balls local alcohol from the beautiful North-East region and you are gonna love it:
1. Zawlaidi: We are weird creatures, okay? We hate fruits and get our respective asses kicked for it. But slightly transformed into liquid and stored for a while (the older the better. We are all in for daddy drinks), we would kick anyone’s butt to have it. Zawlaidi from Mizoram is actually worth some ass kicking. Since it’s curated from fresh, homegrown local grapes, it’s really economical and the oakwood casks bring out a nice rusty flavor (like the George Clooney of wine). And also, pronouncing its name is fun. Zawlaidi like m’lady!
2. Chuwarak: Don’t get fooled by the crudeness of the name. Chuwarak can give any fine whiskey a run for its money. Made from rice, Jackfruit (probably the only time we don’t question God’s decision to create this creep of a fruit) and pineapple, and seasoned to perfection with Tokhiseleng leaves, this distilled beauty is what truly reflects the concept of ‘Tripura Sundari’ (read mythology, bruh).
3. Kiad: There are two fabulous reasons to visit Megahalaya. 1. Matriarchy, the only place in the freaking nation where girl on top actually means what it is and 2. Kiad, their very own version of rice beer. Â Kiad can be super easy on your soul. Served in a very real bamboo glass and topped with charcoal (yep, you heard that right. I am equally lost), this drink is as common as cutting chai in Aamchi Mumbai. Can we go to Megahalaya already?
4. Tongba: The only time the term ‘whole grain’ makes me happy is this. Tongba, a super popular drink across the state of Sikkim is curated from dried whole grain millet with some hot water added to it (to warm the core of our dead-ass urban soul). No celebration is complete without it here. Post retirement plans anyone?
5. Zutho, Ruhi and Dzutse: If you thought South Indian cuisine is dominated by rice, you have figured it all wrong. Nagaland has a beautiful variety of rice beers to offer to the world, and I think it’s high time we take notice. The ultimate magical trio, as we would like to acknowledge it, Zutho, Ruhi and Dzutse, taste amazing. Could this place be anymore mind-fucking-blowing?
God bless the Seven sisters! And if you don’t know what we just said, please go, get Geography lessons and then go back-packing.
