Rice is a food item that has not only been utilized well in the Indian kitchen but also outside it, for making alcohol. Central India has had a long tradition of producing local liquor from various ingredients like rice, flowers, and fruits. One of them is Jharkhand’s Rasi. This rice-based beverage, which is a by-product of Handia, is alcoholic and is widely consumed by the people who make Handia. We’ll be understanding how Rasi is made, but for that, we’ll also take a look at how Handia is produced.
Rasi: A Handia By-Product With Higher Alcohol Content
Preparation Of Rasi
The alcoholic beverage is made in the process of producing Handia, another local liquor commonly consumed in the regions of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. To understand how it is made, we’ll first have to look at the preparation process of Handia.
First, the people make small round tablets called ‘Ranu’. These tablets are made of several herbs and spices and act as fermentation starters in the making of Handia. Then, these tablets are mashed with boiled rice and left to ferment in large earthen pots. These pots, called ‘handi’ in the local language, give the name ‘Handia’ to the drink.
During fermentation, the rice + ranu mixture separates into two layers – the upper, thinner layer from which Rasi is made and the bottom, thicker layer from which Handia is produced. The liquid layer of Rasi is separated and consumed directly or diluted, depending on the preference. The resultant Rasi is a smooth, watery, and light drink that can be consumed at any time of the day! The tribal communities of Central India take their Handia and Rasi drinking very seriously!
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Alcohol Content: Rasi And Handia
Even though Rasi and Handia are two products of the same process, they widely differ in their alcohol content.
Once the bottom, thicker layer is extracted out of the pot, it is washed and diluted slightly to form Handia. This dilution results in the Handia having an alcohol content of only 3% to 4% – similar to that of many beers.
Rasi has an alcohol content of around 11% to 12%, which is similar to many types of wine. This places Rasi among the local alcoholic beverages with the highest alcohol content in India. Even other local alcoholic beverages like Tongba, Chhang, and Apong have a lower alcohol content than Rasi.
Also Read: Apong: A Northeast Indian Drink Made Exclusively By Women
Significance of Rasi And Handia In Central India
Rasi and Handia are like two peas in a pod – they are formed in the same process. Handia is more than just an alcoholic drink – it has immense cultural significance in Central India’s tribal communities. It is often served at community gatherings like weddings, festivals, and other celebrations.
While Handia is an important part of the cultural celebrations, Rasi is also an integral part of the drinking culture of the tribals and rural communities in Central India.
It is consumed throughout the year as it is said to have several health benefits. Locals consume it in the summers to cool themselves off and consume it in the winters to keep their bodies warm. In many communities that produce Handia, it is a drink consumed by people of all ages for its medicinal properties. However, Rasi is strictly only for the adults because of its higher alcohol content. The tribal communities make sure that they keep this drink off-limits to the youngsters!
Also Read: Handia – Jharkhand’s Treasured Alcoholic Beverage
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Summing Up
Handia and Rasi are drinks that have been preserved for centuries by the tribal and rural communities in Central India. Through oral traditions, predominantly, these people have kept alive brewing traditions that could’ve vanished over time. While Handia is the main alcoholic beverage consumed here, Rasi is its ‘stronger’ counterpart. With an alcohol content that is almost thrice that of Handia, it remains one of the strongest alcoholic beverages produced in the indigenous communities of India.
FAQs
What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Handia?
Handia is considered to be a gut coolant and rich in probiotics. It also aids in digestion, making it more than just an alcoholic beverage.
What Is The Alcohol Content Of Handia?
Handia contains about 3 to 4% alcohol.
How Much Alcohol Is Present In Rasi?
Rasi contains about 11% to 12% alcohol, making it three times stronger than Handia.
