Aragh sagi

Aragh sagi (Persian: عرق سگی‎, romanized: araq-e sagi, lit. "doggy distillate") is a type of Iranian moonshine. This distilled alcoholic beverage usually contains around 50% alcohol. However, since it is produced illicitly, it may contain more or less alcohol, at times even reaching 80%. A high-quality aragh sagi tastes similar to grappa. Some Western sources call it "Persian vodka".[1][2]

Aragh sagi
TypeSpirit
Alcohol by volume45%–55%
up to 90% if homemade
Proof (US)90–110
up to 180 if homemade
ColourTransparent
IngredientsRaisin
Related productsArak, rakı, absinthe, ouzo, pastis, sambuca

Etymology

Aragh (عرق, "arak") are aromatic liquids that are produced by distillation from herbs and seeds, for example mint or anise. Alcoholic aragh is produced from raisins, dates, etc. Aragh sagi is a purer and stronger sort of Iranian arak distilled from raisins but without anise.

Aragh sagi literally means "doggy arak", from sag (سگ "dog" in Persian). Back in 1960s, the Meikadeh company produced aragh with a picture of a dog (a beagle) on the bottle as a logo, and soon public started referring to it as aragh sagi or "doggy aragh", and the name stuck.

Legality

Alcohol is illegal in Iran.

History

It is usually produced in homes from fermented raisins. Its production and possession by ordinary citizens is considered illegal in Iran (which is the case for all alcoholic beverages in Iran). Prior to 1979 revolution in Iran, this product had been produced traditionally in several cities, such as Yazd. Since it was outlawed after 1979, it became a black market and underground business. Today, aragh sagi is widely considered a cheap alcoholic beverage that consumers choose due to lack of other available alternative options.

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References
  1. Entry on "Persia" in J. Robinson (ed), "The Oxford Companion to Wine", Third Edition, p. 512-513, Oxford University Press, 2006, ISBN 0-19-860990-6
  2. Hugh Johnson, "The Story of Wine", New Illustrated Edition, p. 58 & p. 131, Mitchell Beazley 2004, ISBN 1-84000-972-1


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