Aila (liquor) facts for kids
Traditional container and cup used to serve Aila
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| Course | liquor |
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| Place of origin | Nepal |
| Main ingredients | rice, grains and millet |
Aylā (Nepal Bhasa: अयला:) is a special traditional drink from Nepal. The Newari community makes it. It is created by a process called distillation. This process uses fermented ingredients like rice, grains, and millet.
Aila is more than just a drink. It plays a big part in many festivals and cultural events in Nepal. People usually make Aila at home using old family methods. You can also find it in local Newari restaurants. CNN, a famous news channel, even called Aila one of the "50 most delicious drinks in the world"!
Contents
How Aila is Made
Making Aila is a careful process. Newari people often prepare it before big festivals or cultural gatherings.
Fermentation Process
First, rice and other ingredients are mixed with something called Marcha. Marcha is a special local compound that helps the ingredients ferment. Fermentation is when tiny living things (like yeast) change sugars into other things, like alcohol. This mixture is left to ferment for at least four to five days. This step is important for making good quality Aila. Sometimes, millet is used instead of rice. Millet can give the Aila an even stronger taste.
Distillation Process
After fermentation, the final Aila is made through distillation. Distillation is a way to separate liquids by heating and cooling them. Traditional clay and copper pots are used for this. The fermented mixture is cooked over a wood fire. The heat from the fire and the temperature of the cooling water are very important. They help control how good the Aila turns out.
Aila's Cultural Importance
In Newari culture, Aila has a special place. It is not just a drink but also part of religious practices. These practices come from old Tantric traditions.
Offerings to Gods
According to Tantric beliefs, certain foods and drinks are important for offerings. These include mamsa (meat), matsya (fish), and madya (which means alcoholic drinks like Aila). People believe that offering Aila can please the Tantric gods. They hope this will bring good luck to their followers.
Festivals and Celebrations
Before any religious festival or cultural event, Aila is first offered to the gods. Only after this offering is it served to people. One famous Newari festival where Aila is important is Yenya. This shows how Aila is deeply connected to the Newari way of life and their traditions.
