The Annapurna Circuit Trek is one of the most popular trekking routes in Nepal. — Part visit with trek to Marpha, the “Apple capital of Nepal” and a pretty village. Marpha is known for its apple orchards — and a rather unique local specialty: apple brandy. Whether you want to kick back after a challenging day of trails or just drink in the local feel, nothing says Marpha like their sweet apple brandy.
In this post, we will demonstrate how to find the most expensive apple brandy(known here as arad), where to buy it and taste it, and what is so special about this drink. So today let’s talk about some apple brandy and how to visit the Annapurna Circuit close to this picturesque village, pleasantly.
Understanding Marpha’s Apple Brandy Tradition
If you’re going to sample a taste of apple brandy, first understand what this beverage means culturally and agriculturally in the town of Marpha. The high altitude and fertile soil of Marpha are ideal for apple-growing, and the village has a long-standing tradition of cultivating them. Apples around here don’t just become canary or crowns of fall splendor — they become everything from cider to brandy.
Because of it, this region’s apple brandy, which is called “Marpha Rakshi,” is known to be a well-distilled liquor that comes from the fermentation of apples. The art of distilling has been inherited through the generations. Another local favorite is Marpha Rakshi, a strong spirit that embodies the flavors of this part of the world. It’s smooth, but with a deceptive wallop — 40 to 50 percent alcohol by volume.
Best Apple Brandy in Marpha
Marpha is a tiny little village, but it does have local distilleries and shops where you can taste — and purchase — apple brandy. But the best place to sample — and buy — some of the finest apple brandy is at local taverns (referred to as dhamis here), shops, and distilleries, where this traditional liquor is being produced. Here are a few ways to root around for the best apple brandy in the village:
Apple brandy tasting: Around 18 apple brandies are made in small, family-owned distilleries in Marpha. Applicable for “Ask Locals: do not be shy to ask villagers about their favorite places. The Marphans are happy to give up their secrets, where the tastiest apple brandy is. Locals might even direct you to small, lesser-known distilleries that don’t spend heavily on marketing but make excellent brandy.
Split // Yes, the (Best) Apple Orchards: Neighboring farms provide some of the best apple brandy. At Marpha, you can walk the apple orchards that surround the village. You might well meet small family farms that produce their own apple brandy and provide tastings to hikers.
Taste Different Varieties
After you have found a place to taste apple brandy, the next thing is to taste it. Marpha’s apple brandy spans from smooth and mellow to bold and fiery. You will just have to try different ones until you find what works for you. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Initial Sips get you when you take your first sips of apple brandy. A fine brandy is clear and golden to amber in hue. Some apple brandies are a bit cloudy — not necessarily a bad thing, and in fact, the way the natural process that leads to distillation works.
Smell and Taste: A really attractive aroma is an inherent part of the quality of brandies. A good apple brandy should smell of apples, assertively, but in the company with more timid notes of other fruits and some spices. Flavor should be mild and sweetly subtle, with flavors well-intermingled with apple. Other brands, however, might carry an earthy undertone because of the apples grown in Marpha’s unique microclimate.
Mellow or Strong Apple brandy can be mellow or very strong, depending on the distillation process through which it was acquired. If you aren’t accustomed to drinking distilled spirits, choose a milder kind for your first; like with beer, you can move up to higher-alkaloid varieties. The strength of a brandy doesn’t directly correspond to its quality, so it’s good to explore both mellower and headier expressions in terms of what works for you.
Eat, Drink, and Celebrate the Culture
Please drink responsibly, like you would with all alcoholic drinks. The apple brandy in Marpha can be very strong, and it’s easy to overindulge, perhaps after a long trek. Do not cross the lines. Drink up only in moderation, always.
Also, to pay tribute to the culture there. Apple brandy plays an outsized role in Marpha’s community, but it’s also a drink that is best approached with respect. Make certain to taste the flavors, and do not say no when locals offer you a drink — gladly accept it out of appreciation for their hospitality.
Buy Airport Apple Brandy Home
The minute you find your favorite apple brandy, buy a bottle to take home as a souvenir. Dozens of distilleries and shops line the village, selling bottled apple brandy — a popular souvenir or memento of your trek. The bottles themselves are each marked with the distilleries’ trademark labels, so they make a little memento of your Annapurna Circuit visit.
If you purchase a bottle, ask to have it sealed and packed for travel. If you hit the foothills, it’s best to inquire with the shopkeeper or distillery about how best to transport the brandy safely.
Make Local Delicacies: Apple Brandy Spin
Marpha Apple Brandy. With an idea to enjoy Marfa even more, think of pairing apple brandy with local appetizers. Most of the villages you visit on the Annapurna Circuit, Marpha in particular, provide delicious food to go with your drink. Apple brandy goes well with local specialties like dal bhat (lentil soup served atop rice) or momo (dumplings).
And rather than just an opportunity to sip the brandy, don’t miss apple-flavored desserts, too, from apple pie or apple fritters made with apples that became the base of the spirit. The food pairing with the apple-brandy is also very true and gratifying.
Marpha for Apple Brandy — When to Go
If you fancy some apple brandy, then the visit should be made between August and October during the apple harvest. At this time of year, apple harvesting and the processing and production of everything from apples to brandy occur in every nook and cranny of the village. The new apples have also ripened, and the local distillers are busy churning out another round of apple brandy. Now is exactly when you should avocado-you’re a full Marpha apple culture.
Final Thoughts
Half of the fun with this local apple brandy on the Annapurna Circuit Trek is searching for it in Marpha! Marpha has been an apple-growing area for generations, and local distilling is a long-held tradition, so trekkers can frequently sample this unusual aperitif as well as immerse themselves in their culture. And whether you visit local distilleries, try various types at taverns, or just ask locals for a brand recommendation, you shouldn’t leave without something more suited to your palate. Rejoicing over your accomplishment, savouring the flavours, and taking a piece of Marpha home with you in a bottle of their famous apple brandy.