Barman Rodgerz Maxpat (right) serve guests the new Chinese traditional liquor in the City of Nairobi during the Fenjiu Kenya New Product launch Conference at Eastland Hotel on Sunday, August 20, 2023. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenyans in love with Chinese products now have a reason to smile after China launched its traditional popular drink, Fenjiu Liquor with pomp and color in Nairobi on Sunday night.

The famous Chinese wine, brewed from steamed rice for over nine months and left to mature for two years, is now available at the giant Chinese outlet, Chinatown Supermarket, located along Ngong Road in Nairobi.

It is the first time that the crystal-clear drink with a sweet soft taste and an alluring aroma is making inroads to Africa. A half a liter goes for Sh 2000-3000.

"It's a very healthy drink, we are confident that Kenyans will like it," Chinatown Supermarket Director, Mei Hong said.

"We also believe the pricing is reasonable, but we are still studying the local market to make appropriate adjustments," Hong stated.

Hong said about 300-400 boxes have already been imported and are available at the Chinatown Supermarket. Plans are already underway to distribute the high-quality wine in other local outlets.

According to Hong, Kenya is among the ripe markets in Africa for the product hence the reason for being first in the continent to distribute the drink.

"I love Kenya, I have lived here for 22 years, I have so many friends who love Chinese products, this is what propelled us to import this liquor.

"We also have so many Chinese in Kenya and it's evident they are missing drinks from their mother nation so there was a need to import Fenjiu to fill this void," she underscored.

Hong believes the introduction of the drink to the Kenyan market will also help to cement the already existing 60-year-old diplomatic relationship between China and Kenya.

A number of Corporate Social Responsibility activities have been lined up to help popularize the drink and create awareness about the product.

Fenjiu originates from Shanxi Province in China where it is made from the natural water of wells located at the Apricot Blossom Village.

It is among the top five alcoholic drinks in China. Its alcoholic content ranges between 38%-60%.

The drink is best remembered for having won a gold medal at the Panama International Exhibition in 1916.

Earlier this year, China introduced Tsingtao Beer in the local market which is also very popular with Chinese, Kenyans and other communities living in the country.