Essentially Goa

Feni is a very popular drink and is produced only in Goa. It takes a lot of effort to make it and is completely organic with no added preservatives. One can get cashew feni (fermented cashew juice) and coconut feni (obtained from coconut toddy) from this state. Feni is sometimes mixed with cola and lime to make a nice cocktail. Urrak is a lighter form of cashew feni, has a fruity flavor, and is available during summer. Feni has a similar flavour but is more potent. Some people even mix feni in certain Goan dishes like sorpotel. Locals also use it to cure colds. They also make a Feni nutmeg mixture to use for massages and to bring down swelling. Pic Credit – Shivang Mishra I NT GOGOANOW.COM

Goa is breathtakingly beautiful and commuting in Goa could be a hassle. GoGoaNow helps you out in picking a convenient way for you to travel within Goa. Hire a bike: Ride the day away in Goa by hiring a bike. Enjoying the view and passing through the fields on a bike is breathtakingly amazing. There are several places at which one can hire a bike across Goa. The standard price for bikes ranges from Rs. 300 per day and goes on depending on the type of bike. Pilots: A quick way to travel through the city’s hassle is to hire a pilot. ‘Pilots’ are bikes with a rider who takes you to a destination. The drawback of this is that only one person can sit on the pilot. The prices also are cheap as compared to other alternatives. ­The government has allotted the price of Rs. 5 for the first kilometer and 2.50 thereafter. Rickshaws Rickshaws are another convenient way to travel in Goa. They can accommodate up to 3 people. The best place to catch a rickshaw is at the bus stop. It’s always better to ask the driver the fare before you hop on to the rickshaw. Opting […]

Kokum is one of the star ingredients in Goa after coconuts. It has a distinctive sour flavour with a hint of sweet and is used in many dishes of this beautiful state. It is available in markets fresh or sundried. Goans love sipping from a glass filled with cold kokum juice or using kokum to add a sour note to their food. It can be used in pickles and gravies. The local markets of Goa will have fresh Kokum during the summer. If you’re not here for the summer, you can always go for dried kokum.   Health benefits –         Can boost intestine health –         Decreases appetite and can help in weight loss –         Decreases inflammation –         Has cooling properties –         Boosts heart health –         Good for digestion –         And more…   Dishes that use Kokum:- Sol Kadhi This tangy drink is popular in Goa. It is usually drunk during lunch/dinner or mixed with rice. Ingredients:  10 dried Kokum 1 cup grated coconut 1½ cloves garlic 1½ green chilli (chopped) ¼ inch ginger piece (chopped) Salt to taste Coriander leaves   Method: Put Kokum in warm water and keep aside for 30-40 minutes. Then squeeze the kokum juice out. Discard the pulp. Blend the coconut, ginger, garlic, […]

Vinegar in Goa is prepared from the toddy (sur) which is extracted from the coconut tree. The toddy is usually collected into an earthen vessel by the toddy taper. In order to get the product of vinegar from the toddy, the extracted toddy is kept in the vessel for a period of 20-22 days, where the toddy turns into vinegar. At times the period of 20-22 days is not sufficient for the toddy to turn into vinegar, in-fact this period of storage depends on the quality of toddy. In case of an ordinary quality of toddy, the storage period may sometimes last for 3 months. Vinegar is normally used as a preservative or a catalyst that adds flavor to various meat oriented dishes such as, pork sausages, pork vindhalo, various beef dishes, chicken cafreal and others. It is also used to prepare the ‘rechado’ massala which is stuffed in fishes like mackerel and pomfret.

Crochet is a delicate craft in which a hook is used to loop wool or thread and continue it with stitch after stitch until the desired product is completed. It has its own place in every Goan household. This can be realized by the fact that every bride brings with her crochet items as a part of ‘dennem’ to her in-laws’ place. The craft of crochet came to Goa with the arrival of the nuns and missionaries in the 15th century and from has been passed on from one generation to other. It is time-consuming but the end result is an elegant, delicate, soft piece of work. This craft empowers housewives in Goa. Crochet is used to create many items like blankets, blouses, coats, caps, socks, gloves, tablecloth, purses, and much more. It is a refreshing alternative to machine-made products.   SHERYL GONSALVES | NT GOGOANOW Pic credit: Shivang Mishra | NT GOGOANOW

Velha Goa Galeria    Velha Goa Galeria is a place full of various creative pieces. They sell products like ceramic tiles, clay items, glassware, tableware, and cutlery. The majority of their products are Azulejos (hand painted glazed tiles). The price range of the products is approximately between Rs.300 and Rs.15,000. They also conduct workshops and hold exhibitions.  . .  Address- H.No.191, Rua de Ourém,                Fontainhas, Altinho,                Panaji, Goa .  Telephone: 98221 59881        Azulejos de Goa   The Portuguese style craft, Azulejos, is beautiful. These hand-painted tiles take hours to make. Orlando Noronha went to Portugal and started getting into this craft. He says, “ I always wanted to do something different. It’s an art that I learned in Portugal in 1998 as a hobby and later on when I returned I thought of reintroducing this beautiful art in Goa with Goan designs, motifs, etc.” He is of the opinion that it will always be trendy. His place in Panjim, Azulejos de Goa, is crowded with these tiles and the most popular items are Azulejos tiles and plates. Orlando’s products are also available at Taj Khazana, Magsons […]

When a person thinks of Assagao, these words come to mind- hills, serenity, history, eating, shopping. Assagao is one of the quieter places of Goa but also has trendy boutiques and restaurants. Just taking a walk or cycling here can be enjoyable as you can admire a lot of Portuguese houses from the colonial era or visit concept stores. Here are some not-to-miss places in Assagao: St Cajetan Church – This is a beautiful church on a slight hillock. In 1775, it was a chapel. It has charming interiors and exteriors. It was built by the Portuguese. The Food – There are a number of eating options in Assagao. At Villa Blanche Bistro you’ll get vegan options, beef steaks, pastries, homemade items, etc. Black Vanilla is famous for their All Day breakfasts and also provide quiches, pizzas, and more. Gunpowder serves refined South Indian food while SEA is known for their Asian food and seafood dishes. Additional noteworthy options are Mum’s Kitchen (Goan food), Vinayak, Sublime (European food) and others. Shop Till you Drop – People Tree Design Studio & Store sells ethically made clothes, upcycled accessories and more. Another boutique that is all for ethical and eco-friendly fashion is No Nasties. They make vegan organic cotton clothes. Rangeela sells clothes, home décor, beachwear, and traditional jewellery […]

Pão- Keeping alive the legacy of the Portuguese The existence of bread in Goa The Goan bread is one of the delicacies that everyone craves for. The bread is an integral part of the Goan eating habit, be it for breakfast, for evening tea or for some occasion in the house the bread is always seen on the buffet table. Earlier the people living in Goa had a diet which comprised of roti, chapatti, idli, sambhar, a diet quite similar to that of South India. When the Portuguese invaded the coasts of Goa they brought with them various types of dishes ranging from sweet to savory delicacies. The Portuguese also brought in bread which was called pao. Earlier method of baking Pao The first Goan pao were quite unique. They were prepared by using local toddy, locally known as sur, as a source of natural yeast. This gave the bread a distinctive character that is quite impossible to replicate with any other kind of yeast. This mixture was then left for fermentation for 2-3 hrs. The pao is baked in wood-fired mud ovens, locally known as forn. According to Peter Fernandes, the proprietor of Dalima Bakers at Colva stated that […]

The heat is intense but it’s the time of the year that seasonal fruits are available in plenty Seasonal fruits are popular among locals in Goa, especially during the summer. With the popularity of social media, these summer fruits are searched on Google and tracked down in the markets. This has increased demand and has caused the prices to go up. Mangoes, the king of fruits, have always been the favourite. The ‘Mankurad’ is so superior that in the Panaji market, people spent about Rs 4,000 a dozen after the mangoes came to the markets in March. The rates have stabilised but ask the elders around and they’d say, “People would give them to us for a song (free). We never had to think twice before buying Mankurad mangoes but today it’s out of the common man’s reach.” Raw mangoes are coveted too. Used for pickles, preservatives and to go along with urrack with some salt and chilli, the markets are flooded with raw mangoes. ‘Panne’ is a cooler made from raw mangoes. Fresh tender cashews (bibbe) are used in various recipes. These cashews are plucked and peeled to get tender cashews. A favourite of Goans, there’s so much joy […]

Neeta Bhat Goa, a coastal region, boasts of its shell craft.  Neeta is one such person who practices this beautiful craft. He ingeniously incorporates shells into various household items like flower vases, table lamps, hanging balls, shell mirrors, and showpieces. Since Neeta is registered at the Handicraft emporium, their branches sell his products. Additionally, private shops from Mapusa & Panaji buy his items. He believes in keeping a low-profit margin of only 20%. The price range for his products are approximately between Rs.17 to Rs.290.” In the future, he intends to dabble in making necklaces out of raw material like sari borders.  The gentle-natured Neeta says this about shell craft, “ Of course I enjoy it!.” Maya Shetkar  The down-to-earth person- Maya Shetkar uses simple seashells which she buys from the market to create beautiful pieces of art. At a young age of 16, Maya’s neighbour taught her this craft and over the years she has put her own creative input into seashells crafting. She makes showpieces, table lamps, curtains, flower pots, mirror work, shell flower bouquets, and earrings. Maya’s items are available at Goa Handicraft showrooms.  She also sells her work at exhibitions. Her prices start at Rs.50. She admits […]

Goa is a tropical paradise and is, therefore, home to a variety of bird species- small, big, and majestic ones. There are many places in Goa to spot different bird species. Some places may be hard to reach to bring out your adventurous spirit while others are quite easy destinations to travel in. Let’s start off with Goa’s sanctuaries. Dr. Salim Ali bird sanctuary Dr. Salim Ali bird sanctuary, Chorao Island, is home to birds like white egrets and purple herons. One can expect to see colourful kingfishers, eagles, cormorants, kites, woodpeckers, sandpipers, curlews and mynahs on a fairly regular basis. The best time to visit the sanctuary is during the winter months when the migratory birds that frequent the area are also in residence. The maximum number of the sanctuary’s inhabitants can be seen in the early hours of the morning and at sunset.   Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the eastern border of the state of Goa, near the village of Mollem. The state bird of Goa – Ruby-throated Yellow Bulbul – is the most common of the 120 species of bird that have been spotted in this sanctuary.    Mhadei Wildlife […]

Want to experience the nightlife as well as the serene beaches during a tight vacation? Baga is the place to be! Baga is indeed one of the most serene yet commercialized places in Goa. Baga, a small village, along the coast of Goa is nothing but beautiful for the traveler who is on a time limit. Baga creek Baga creek is the perfect place for you to sit and watch the sunset. Right next to Baga beach lays the creek and it has one of the most beautiful views. The picture perfect place makes it a get-away to few locals who come fishing daily and also a view of the ever buzzing Baga beach. The creek is surrounded by beautiful rocks with the waves clashing against it. Saturday night market Another place to visit whilst in Baga is the Saturday Nite Market. As the name specifies, the market is open during the nights. The vast number of stalls sell clothes, jewelry and other kinds of artistic pieces. They also have food stalls that’ll help curb that mid-night hunger! They also have an open stage which gives upcoming talent showcase their work. Baga tibetian market Baga Tibetian Market is another flea […]

While many might assume that crochet is solely a female-dominated craft, Gautam Naik defies stereotypes as a hair, beauty and spa professional, who has been captivated by the art of crochet at the age of 12. “I developed a passion for crocheting at a young age after observing my aunt’s crochet work at home. She taught me the basic stitches, which I quickly grasped due to my keen interest. In Class 5, I noticed my teacher crocheting during her free time, so I expressed my ability to work on basic stitches and asked if she could teach me more. She generously lent me her crochet book, and I made photocopies to explore and learn different crochet patterns. And that is how my journey in crocheting began.” Ever since then, Naik has been making and selling crochet items to his acquaintances. His first work was a duck-themed tablecloth, which he sold for Rs. 250. Presently, Naik specialises in creating an array of items, including torans, bunny caps, duck tablecloths, mobile pouches, sweaters, handbags, monkey caps, and patchwork on jute bags and fabrics and sells them under the brand Gomzy1982, which is also his Instagram handle. “Granny square pattern is my favourite […]

Franco Fernandes In a quiet village of Goa, Camurlim, lives Franco Fernandes, a self-taught practitioner of coconut shell craft. He won awards like 1st & 2nd place for Best Handicraft and 2nd place for the State Art Exhibition. He even fabricated coconut shell accessories for Wendell Rodricks, the fashion designer. Franco takes private orders. He makes items like coconut bottles, lampshades, bangles, rings, necklaces, pendants, paper knives and hair clips. It makes one amazed at how useful a simple coconut can be. He says, “It is my hobby turned into a profession.” Part of the process of coconut shell craft is taking out the husk, cleaning it, and shaping it by hand or other cutting tools. Sometimes he modifies the cutting tools to get the shape he desires. His future plan is to start working with coconut wood. SHERYL GONSALVES | NT GOGOANOW Pics Credit – Shivang Mishra I NT GOGOANOW

The shining sun is hitting the waves, making the ocean sparkle as it reflects the blue hues of the sky above. The gentle breeze and the calming sounds of the water make you slip into relaxation mode. However, there is one thing you may wish was different…. a beach that wasn’t so crowded! Written By: Sheryl Gonsalves Not to worry! Here is a list of beaches in Goa that’ll let you have a quieter, peaceful outing: NORTH GOA The North side of Goa has a notorious reputation for having crowded, noisy beaches. However, this isn’t entirely true. Here are some serene spots to visit for sand and sea… Morjim Beach This beach is quite famous for the Olive Ridley turtles who come to nest here and are helped by a group of volunteers who guard the nests and help the baby turtles get into the sea. The beach is also a favourite among Russian tourists, along with Ashwem beach close by, one will find signboards and menu cards in the Russian language. Mandrem Beach If you want to enjoy vast stretches of sand and water, this beach is the place to be! Colourful seashells dot the shores while little crabs […]

Goa is a beautiful state where great memories are created. It is natural to want a keepsake or edible souvenir for yourself or gift it to someone else. Here is a list of some things that can be great gifts. However, make sure that these items are allowed to be carried into your respective countries.  Vinegar Coconut vinegar is used in classic Goan dishes like sorpotel, vindaloo, cafreal, etc. Some Goans make their own vinegar at home. One can get bottles of vinegar at supermarkets and local markets. Mario Miranda’s works Mario Miranda had been an iconic Goan cartoonist and his works are available for sale till today. A person can get his cartoons printed on different items like lamps, mobile cases, cushion covers, mugs, medicine organizers, limited edition prints, mint boxes, bags and much more. The price starts at approximately Rs.125 for items like key chains. New products are constantly introduced like wristbands and others. The galleries are located in Panjim, Porvorim, and Calangute. Fruit wines Some families in South Goa make fruit/ vegetable wines at home from various ingredients like amla, jambul, mango, cashew, ginger, pomegranate, apple, pineapple, coconut, beetroot, etc. It isn’t easily available in shops. However, you can […]

Have you ever wondered how Goa was in the past? A simple 82-year-old Goan lady shares details about her life with us. Sheryl Gonsalves | NT GoGoaNow What was Goa like during your youth? There was unity in the family. My mother used to go out of the way by making less for the family and giving the neighbour. My food diet was usually rice and curry. Chicken and other meat was a luxury which was eaten for festivals. Beef was rarely consumed but pork was the most common thing. There were no fridges so we made dishes that could last for some time. I also usually had pulses, beans, pumpkin, gourd, and long string beans. A lot of superstitions were believed in those days. We were told to not go out at night because evil spirits are roaming. On ‘All souls day’ people believed that the souls will come and drink water. They would keep food on top of the roof for the souls. Another superstition was that after midnight a headless evil man/ spirit will roam with a stick. So if people heard any sound like a stick beating something, they would put the lights off and hide […]

At a particular time of the year, rain clouds roll overhead and water the land of Goa heralding the monsoon season. As beautiful as this season is, some ingredients and other things aren’t available at that time. Many locals of Goa start collecting twigs, wood, and coconut shells, and carry it home to use as firewood before the rains hit. Sheryl Gonsalves | NT GoGoaNow Here are some other ways Goans deal with the rainy season:- – Chillies: Drying red chillies (Kashmiri, musureo, Moira chillies) in the sun and storing them. – Coriander seeds/ jeera/ turmeric: Mix salt and water in a vessel. Put the coriander seeds in that water and mix well. Take it out from the water and leave it in the sun to dry. You can do the same with jeera (cumin) and whole haldi. This is to avoid insects from attacking it during the moist rainy weather. – Dry seafood: Goans store dry fish and dry prawns as there may be fish scarcity during the monsoons. – Pulses: They dry pulses like beans (vousane) and small white beans (meerulio) in the sun. – Tamarind: Remove the tamarind seeds and discard, apply salt, and pound a little […]

Goan cooking generally involves liberal amounts of spices giving dishes a delightful taste and distinctive aroma. Particular combinations of spices have led to a number of styles of cooking, which have differing flavors; masala, vindaloo and balchao being some of the most famous. Chillies, particularly the dried red variety, are used widely to add pungency, flavour, and texture, and to marinate meats and fish. The green variety is also used to make chutneys, and pickles. They give a kick and taste to vegetables, meats and fish. The Christians prefer to use vinegar, while the Hindus use ‘kokum’ and tamarind to get the tang in their respective cuisines. Another important product of the palm is jaggery, a dark colored sweetener that is widely used in preparing Goan sweetmeats. Jaggery made from sugarcane is also used which has got a lighter colour compared to the coconut palm one. The spice plantations of Goa are quite popular as tourist attractions. For more details click on – Spice Plantations The various spices found in the Goan markets (Local Markets) or any General stores around you are; Fennel (Badisep)  Asafetida (Hing) Cardamom (Veichi) Cumin (Jirem) Pepper (Mirem) Mustard seeds (Sasvam) Cinnamon (Dalchini) Clove (Lovang)  Coriander […]

Today would’ve been the 60th birthday of Wendell Rodricks, the late fashion designer who placed the state of Goa on the world’s fashion map. A child born in Bombay with a simple lifestyle grew up to be world-famous and meet many celebrities. He was an inspiration to many, especially aspiring fashion designers. Sheryl Gonsalves| NT GoGoaNow Picture Credit – SHIVANG MISHRA | Nt GoGoaNow “From a young age people asked my advice as to the choice of a wall colour, what accessories go with a dress, decorations for a party, etc. This was at the age of seven. Later I began to draw sketches of everything from teachers to scenery. By the time I turned twenty I knew it was fashion because I began to sketch clothes. But I had to do fashion much later at 26 after a career in hotel management,” he had told NT GoGoaNow.  Wendell didn’t use television, magazines, and newspapers for ideas but loved creating new things. He was known as the ‘Guru of Minimalism’ and won a Padma Shree award in his lifetime. “Goa has played a huge part in my philosophy. If I gave India minimalism, resort wear and eco-friendly clothing, it is […]

We are destroying the only home we have. Our waters and land are filled with waste, especially plastic. Animals and sea creatures tend to consume this plastic which is very dangerous for their well being. It also releases toxins into the water which affects the food chain. Our laziness and carelessness concerning the environment not only affects nature but the human race itself. There are many times when people try to enjoy the majestic beauty of our Goa beaches but instead they have to see and feel litter floating in the water. Areas of land which have the ‘Do Not Litter’ sign are dumped with even more waste material than usual. Why can’t we refuse to accept plastic bags and use cloth bags? Why can’t we plant more trees? Let’s say No to plastic straws. Why can’t we fight our urge to litter and reduce/ reuse/ recycle instead?  Tiny individual choices such as these will eventually have a positive impact on our planet. Concerned Goans voiced out their opinions: “It’s not just the uneducated but even the educated who disregard the environment” – Desiree D’souza, student “Mother Nature is deteriorating because of inconsiderate people”- Ashnett Fernandes, accountant “There should be more clean-up drives […]

Old Goa is a small town in the North Goa district. Portugal-styled churches are famous for their architecture and impeccable history behind them. Old Goa, best known for its churches, is the perfect place to be for the traveller who wants to drown himself in the beautiful Portugal architecture of Goa. NT GoGoaNow gives you a sneak peek into some places you should visit when in Old Goa! …. …. …. Basilica of Bom Jesus As you enter Old Goa, you’re definitely going to see the monumental Basilica of Bom Jesus. The church was consecrated in May 1605 by Fr. Alexia de Menezes, the Archbishop of Goa. The church is a magnificent example of Baroque architecture in Goa. The church is well known as it embodies the relics of St. Francis Xavier, who lays to rest in a silver casket within the church. The relics are taken down every 10 years for an exposition which calls forth millions of devotees. The architectural monument comes under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. …. Se Cathedral  The Sé Cathedral de Santa Catarina, known as Se Cathedral, in short, is known to be the largest church in Asia. The majestic church stands strong before […]

Chefs share smoothie recipes to beat the heat.  GRANOLA & FRUIT SMOOTHIE Ingredients:1 banana sliced1 apple medium (Peeled & Diced)1/3 cup plain Greek yoghurt1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder1tbsp. maple syrup or honey1 tbsp. flaxseed powder1/2 cup granola1/4 cup ice Method:Crush granola coarsely in the blenderAdd Greek yoghurt, soy milk, and honey to blend it wellAdd the rest of the ingredients and blend until smoothVoila! Granola smoothie is ready AVOCADO SUPER SMOOTHIE Ingredients: 1/2 cup of almonds & walnuts1 ½ – 2 cups of spinach leaves chopped1 firm ripe avocado 1 ½ cups almond milk 1tbsp. of liquid apple syrup or honey1tbsp. sunflower seeds1tbsp. pumpkin seeds Method:Add mixed nuts (almond & Walnut), sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds in a blender and blend it wellAdd spinach, avocado & soya milk in a blender. Blend until smoothAdd liquid apple syrup or honey and blend it for another 10 seconds.Pour into glasses and serve. PEANUT BUTTER AND HONEY OAT SMOOTHIE (from Executive Chef Nitin Mathur, Taj Santacruz) Ingredients: 2 cups of rolled oats (pan-roasted)½ yoghurt1 cup almond milk1 large banana3tbsp. peanut butter2 tablespoons honey1tbsp flaxseed powder   Instructions: Place oats in blender and processPour milk into a blender and allow processed oats to soften in […]

Goa is famous for its beaches and architecture. Backpacking through the city can be tiring and a beverage in hand will definitely help melt away all the tiredness! Try one of the most renowned Goan-made beverages during your getaway and sit back and unwind. Feni Feni liquor is an alcoholic drink produced in Goa. Feni has been here since the Portuguese rule and has been relished since. Over time Feni has been sold commercially and many local alcohol shops sell them. Speaking of varieties; Feni is famously sold in two varieties; Cashew Feni and Coconut Feni. The alcoholic content of Feni ranges from 42.8% to 45%. Feni undergoes a distillation process wherein the first step is to crush cashew apples into an earthen or copper pot along with other key ingredients. This copper pot is buried underground for the fermentation process. Over time the fermentation undergoes vaporization and distillation which then becomes alcohol.  One of the most famous brands selling Feni is the Big Boss Cashew Feni. Urrak Urrak is known as the sister of Feni as Urrak undergoes the same distillation process. The only difference between them is that Urrak goes through just one distillation process whereas Feni goes […]