Tag: basi

Basi is a fermented alcoholic beverage made of sugarcane produced in the Philippines and Guyana.
Basi is the local beverage of Ilocos in northern Luzon in San Ildefonso where it has been consumed since before the Spanish conquest. In the Philippines, commercial basi is produced by first crushing sugarcane and extracting the juice. The juice is boiled in vats and then stored in earthen jars. Once the juice has cooled, flavorings made of ground glutinous rice and duhat (java plum) bark or other fruits or barks is added. The jars are then sealed with banana leaves and allowed to ferment for several years. The resulting drink is pale red in color. If fermented longer, it turns into suka or vinegar.
The 1807 Basi Revolt in Piddig, Ilocos Norte, occurred when the Philippines’ Spanish rulers effectively banning private manufacture of the beverage. A Basi festival is held annually in Naguilian, La Union.
Basi is produced by first cutting sugarcane into small pieces. The cane is then placed…