K'atu

K'atú is an Indian drink from Peru with around 4% alcohol. The name K'atú comes from the Kallawaya language, excavation finds prove the existence around 1,300 AD.

Traditionally K'atú was used by the shamans of the Inca administered due to the alleged positive effect on mood. The chronicler Inca Garcilaso de la Vega (1539–1616), who describes the culture and lifestyle of the Inca, mentioned the drink in his Comentarios Reales de los Incas .

Today, K'atú is only prepared by the indigenous population for home use, such as by the Asháninka in the rainforest zone of Peru. Details of the production are not known. Outside of Peru, K'atú is only sold by one company in Austria.