Zutho

{{Italic title|reason=Category:Naga words and phrases}}

{{Short description|Alcoholic beverage of Naga origin}}

{{Use American English|date=September 2020}}

{{Infobox beverage

| name = Zutho

| image =

| image_alt =

| caption =

| type = Rice wine

| abv = 5%

| proof =

| manufacturer =

| distributor =

| origin = {{flag|India}}

| region = Nagaland

| introduced = Naga people

| discontinued =

| color = White

| flavour =

| ingredients = Glutinous rice

| variants =

|related = Judima, thuthse, Choujiu

| website =

}}

{{Culture of the Nagas}}

Zutho is a fermented drink, originating from the Indian state of Nagaland, obtained from rice. It is a traditional drink of the Angami and Chakhesang Nagas and is commonly consumed by all Nagas in both urban and rural regions of Nagaland.{{cite web|url=https://morungexpress.com/nagalands-dying-tradition-rice-beer-making|title=Nagaland's dying tradition of rice beer making|date=10 June 2018|website=The Morung Express|access-date=20 June 2023}}{{Citation |last=Ajungla |first=T. |title=Some Ethnic Fermented Foods and Beverages of Nagaland |date=2020 |work=Ethnic Fermented Foods and Beverages of India: Science History and Culture |pages=459–477 |editor-last=Tamang |editor-first=Jyoti Prakash |url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-15-1486-9_17 |access-date=2025-05-11 |place=Singapore |publisher=Springer |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-981-15-1486-9_17 |isbn=978-981-15-1486-9 |last2=Yeptho |first2=Lydia |last3=Kichu |first3=Asangla |last4=Nyenthang |first4=Gloria|url-access=subscription }}

It contains approximately 5%(v/v) of ethanol, and is known for its fruity odor, which is partly imparted by the acetyl esters in generous amounts. Traditionally zutho is prepared by allowing starch-rich solutions to broken down by enzymes into sugars that are fermented by yeast. Starch in rice has to be made into malt by sprouting, or digested by enzymes that Nagas learned to grow in a separate process on a plant.