Sombai Infused Cambodian Liqueur: Workshop Visit and Liqueur Tasting

After picking you up from your hotel in Siem Reap, your driver will take you to the workshop in Salakamreuk village, located just beyond Wat Damnak Pagoda.

After taking off your shoes (as it is the tradition in Cambodia and also for hygienic reasons when entering a food processing workshop), a short set of steep stairs will take to up to the infusion room, a characteristic typical of the houses in Cambodia. Don't worry, as there are normal stairs if you are not comfortable. Once there, you will get to see more than a hundred glass jars full of local fruits, such as mango, banana, coconut, pineapple, lemon, tamarind and orange, herbs such as lemongrass and green tea, spices including anise seed, cinnamon, ginger, galangal and chili, all soaking in the alcohol until the infusion is completed. You will be amazed at the color of the infused alcohol that changes with time, and how the fruits evolve along the weeks. Through the window, you can have a peek at the "laboratory" whenever the production staff is at work. With hygiene rules perfectly respected, you will understand that the product is really home-made there. Your guide will be on hand answer all your questions about the production process.

After this 15-minute visit, you will be rewarded by a tasting of the 8 flavors. It will start by the flavors that are less sweet, through the spicy ones, the sweet and sour, the digestive and ending with the sweet dessert tastes. Offered, along with a bottle of cold water, are local snacks composed of taro chips, banana chips, cashew nuts or flavored peanuts to accompany your drinks. Once you have chosen your favorite flavor, feel free to shop around if you wish to bring back a unique souvenir (no obligation). To add to your culinary experience, you can also taste the aromatic salts and infused cooking oils that are prepared at the workshop.

Once you are done (after approx. 30 minutes), your driver will bring you back to town or to your hotel.