Anyone know the meaning of Konyagi? The Tanzanian liquor?

All I can find is that Konyagi is the name of an ethnic group (and their language) in the Senegambia (African West coast).

Interesting Harp. I assumed it was swahili (it sounds swahili and it is the name of a Tanzanian liquor). However I can;t find a translation for it. I will ask my Kenyan friends and let you know if they have another answer.

Maybe if you drink enough of it, the meaning becomes clear

There is an online Swahili-English dictionary (I found it on Google) that translates it as cognac. In someone’s blog, he described it as a mixture of vodka/gin flavoring.

Gail, that’s totally believable, given the phonetic similarity.

@harp, Haha! It also comes in a pouch, the perfect drink for an alcoholic on the go! And it has flames as it’s logo.

@gail, very good!

I believe it is a sugar cane drink. We used to mix it in with our beer, or soda, in Kenya.

Cognac(drink) ”,,,named after the town of Cognac in France, is the most famous variety of brandy, produced in the wine-growing region surrounding the town from which it takes its name, in the French Departements of Charente and Charente-Maritime. The town of Cognac is one of only three officially demarcated brandy regions in Europe; the others are the French town of Armagnac and the Spanish town of Jerez.

“According to French Law, in order to bear the name, Cognac must meet strenuous legal requirements, ensuring that the 300-year old production process remains unchanged. It must be made from at least 90% Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, or Colombard grapes, although Ugni Blanc, specifically Saint-Emilion grapes, are today virtually the exclusive variety used.”

I don’t think one can make brandy from sugar cane, so it must be some form of distilled alcohol (rum?); Konyaki may be pigeon English (or French).

Pretty sure the word “Konyagi” is derived from the word “cognac.” Definitely not a brandy itself. Baba Malaika’s “Friendly Swahili” Dictionary says it is tasty Tanzanian gin. Gin is the closest thing to it, taste-wise.

If you read the ingredients on the packet (or bottle if you’re high class): Fine Spirit, Konyagi flavour, de-ionised water. They might use sugar cane to distill the ethanol (fine spirit) used.

Cognac is brandy and brandy is distilled wine. Therefore, “Konyagi” can’t be a brandy but is rum, which is made from sugar cane.

Keller, et al. (eds) A Dictionary of Words About Alcohol.