Rebranding of Mahua Liquor
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Continuing the baggage of the colonial legacy, mahua is still categorised as ‘country liquor’ - as if something lowly, undignified, not having a social status - dragging the negative notion of mahua.
But, good news is the air around mahua is changing. With new private players entering the alcohol business, rebranding the liquor; state govt. of Madhya Pradesh changing the archaic laws and declaring mahua as ‘heritage liquor’ - redoing the impression of mahua.​.
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... And the Debate Around It
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​But these changes aren't without unwanted ripples. There are grave concerns that need to be addressed. Concerns of cultural appropriation, continuing exploitation of mahua collectors, interest of individual tribal distiller or risks of alcoholism within a segment of tribal societies - these apprehensions aren’t exhaustive and just indicative..
Value-added Mahua Products
Away from the heady aroma of mahua liquor and the coupled concerns, there lies another world of mahua where revival is taking place in boxes and jars. With value-added mahua products like mahua laddu, pickle, cookie etc. rural self-help groups in different pockets of India are rewriting their stories. Some of them are associated with business enterprises having their product available online, some of them are very much local.
The impact is such that even Michelin Star chefs are trying experimenting with mahua flowers.
Nutritional Value of Mahua Flowers
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The specialty is not only in the taste which is bittersweet (like dark chocolate or strong coffee) but also in its nutritional value. Adivasi communities have known this for centuries. Mahua flower’s nutritional value and medicinal properties are embedded in their knowledge system. Similarly the healing nature of mahua flower is well preserved in Ayurvedic scriptures. Getting cue from the existing knowledge, modern science also explored the chemical composition of mahua flowers..
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