Boukha ( aeb, بوخة) is a

distilled beverage Liquor (or a spirit) is an alcoholic drink produced by distillation of grains, fruits, vegetables, or sugar, that have already gone through alcoholic fermentation. Other terms for liquor include: spirit drink, distilled beverage or hard li ...

produced from

fig The fig is the edible fruit of ''Ficus carica'', a species of small tree in the flowering plant family Moraceae. Native to the Mediterranean and western Asia, it has been cultivated since ancient times and is now widely grown throughout the world ...

s. It originated in the Tunisian Jewish community, where most of it is still produced.

Etymology

Its name means 'alcohol vapor' in

Judeo-Tunisian Arabic Judeo-Tunisian Arabic, also known as Judeo-Tunisian, is a variety of Tunisian Arabic mainly spoken by Jews living or formerly living in Tunisia. Speakers are older adults, and the younger generation has only a passive knowledge of the language. ...

. It is obtained by simple distillation of Mediterranean figs. Its alcohol percentage ranges between 36 and 40 percent.

Overview

Boukha can be consumed straight at room temperature or cold, or serve as the basis for cocktails and for fruit salad.

History of boukha in Colonial Tunisia

The production of Boukha was closely linked to the Jewish community in Tunisia and was seen as a threat by the French colonial authorities in Tunisia as something that would have a malicious and violent affect on Muslims in the region in comparison to French alcoholic products. In addition, the production of Boukha was creating an alcohol market that could not provide tax revenue for the French colonial authorities and thus was subject to alcohol laws that deliberately targeted indigenous Maghrebi drinks as they could be easily produced and consumed for less due to the lack of tax.Studer, Nina (2022) 'Under the Influence' History Today July 2022 Vol 72 Issue 7

Etymology

Overview

History of boukha in Colonial Tunisia

References

See also