Judima, the traditional rice wine made by the Dimasa community of Assam, has become the first beverage from the Northeastern part of India to register a Geographical Indication Tag.
Popularly known as the GI Tag, this regulation prevents people from other places from creating and using similar products with the same name. Meaning that this alcoholic beverage cannot be commercially produced outside off the state to Assam under the same name.
The application numbered 643 for GI Tag of Judima was filed by the Youth Association for Development and Empowerment (YADEM). Listed as an Agricultural product, it comes under Class 33 of classification, meaning that it is an alcoholic beverage but now beer. And the current status of the product is registered but no logo has been decided yet. This registration was allocated on the 14th of this month and it will remain valid till the beginning of 2029.
Almost all the communities and tribes of the Northeastern India make some variety of alcohol using traditional fermentation techniques. Each has different sets of ingredients and a unique taste profile. Judima is a sweet flavored beverage which is manufactured traditionally by the Dimasa Community majorly residing in the Dima Hasao Autonomous District of Assam. A properly aged batch of this beverage is said to sweet and smooth and often compared with natural honey.
Feature Image Courtesy : Bankim Phonglo.
