Tiquira

Strong liquor with an alcohol content of 38° to 54° GL obtained from manioc, which is grated, pressed, cooked, fermented and then distilled. In several towns of Maranhão, it is handmade and sold informally. To acquire this bluish lilac color it is mixed with an infusion of mandarin leaves or methyl violet dye. The high alcohol content of tiquira gave rise to some popular beliefs in Maranhão. According to one of them, after drinking three or four shots of this drink, one should not take a shower or get the head wet, or s/he runs the risk of becoming “aluado” (“moonstruck”).