Biocultural Framework of Cachaça Cachaça is worldwide known as the Brazilian liquor. The first distillation of cachaça happened around 1532 and is closely linked with the history of Brazil (Sousa). Cachaça appeared in the Northeast of Brazil when slaves left "cagaça" (a dark greenish broth formed during boiling of sugarcane juice) stored for days. The liquid fermented due to temperature changes, evaporated and condensed. Originally, the cachaça was intended for the slaves, who consumed this liquor as an anti-septical (A História Da Cachaça). Later, however, slaves started to drink cachaça and soon it became popular in Brazilian Culture. Cachaça became an important component of the national economy and, consequently, its production proliferated …show more content…
Thanks to advanced technology, soil erosion in sugarcane fields is minimal when compared to many other crops such as rice and soybeans (Sugarcane Best Cultivation Practices). In some regions of Brazil, sugarcane has been produced on the same soil for more than 200 years with continuous yield. Brazilian mills emphasize efficiency and have reduced the water used during industrial processing by more than 70% during the past two decades. Brazilian Social Organization also contributed to what cachaça is today. First, Brazilian culture is a festive and upbeat culture. People usually consume alcohol in parties and festivals. Also because cachaça is so assimilated in the culture, parents usually introduce Alambiques (place where artisanal cachaça is produced) to their children as field trips. Children learn about cachaça in school during history class, since sugarcane is fundamental to understand Brazilian history. Cachaça marries the Brazilian ideology of celebrating life as if there is no tomorrow. Many Brazilians engage in heavy drinking during parties and holidays. Cachaça is always present on parties since it is a national drink. Cachaça is part of Brazilian Cuisine. Cachaça is the main ingredient for the most popular Brazilian drink: caipirinha. Cachaça is highly consumed during our main festivities, such as