[Assam] More on Lao pani

[Chan Mahanta]

>
>Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2009 12:20:02 -0800 (PST)
>From:
>Reply-
>Subject: Lao pani
>To: Chan Mahanta <cmahanta at charter.net>
>X-Chzlrs: 0
>
>Hi Cda,
>
>Liked your description of Lao pani. We call it haanz. Though I think 
>you have been fed a "gela" :).  The first cut we call "rohi", its 
>actually very sweet and strong (alcohol). This is the stuff that 
>just oozes out of the boiled rice concoction without additional 
>water. After it is finished, you add water to it. This is haanz. Its 
>not as strong (we call it "sook") or sweet as rohi. After this batch 
>finishes, you add water again. I refuse to drink beyond the second 
>batch. Progressively, the drink gets weaker and sour due to more 
>fermentation. You get the idea.
>
>In my household there is a religious association with the drink. I 
>suspect some make lao pani for commercial and not religious reason. 
>Then you have a reason to keep on adding water until the whole thing 
>is sour. We call this "gela haaz". 
>
>On a recent visit home, a bodo family member offered a rice based 
>drink that apparently takes long preparing/fermenting. I don't 
>remember the name but it had the color of honey and tasted very good 
>(not very strong though).  
>
>Best,
>