When Canada-based entrepreneur Ajith Padmakumar tasted the home-brewed arrack — vattu charayam — made by friend and chef Sajish Joseph in Ontario, Canada, in 2020, not only was he struck by its taste, but he also tasted a business opportunity.
Two years later, in late 2022, the friends launched Taika Spirit Drink. “Numerous tasting sessions, sampling and fine-tuning of the recipe led to the launch,” says Ajith who was in Kochi on a holiday recently. Brewing alcohol for personal consumption is legal in Canada, and during the pandemic, Sajeesh dug up his great grandfather’s arrack recipe and began brewing it at home. “Left to himself, he would still be making it at home, for friends,” jokes Ajith.
