Tender coconut, ice apple are favourites of city residents this summer
A tender coconut is being sold at ₹80 this year, which was ₹60 last year and people are willing to buy it at ₹80 now as there is an increased awareness of its health bene‡ts
Sale of tender coconut and ice apple (nungu) has picked up on the streets of Madurai. This year’s sale was very good, said vendors.
C. Vanitha, a tender coconut seller on Bypass Road, said the sales were better compared to last year. A tender coconut was sold at ₹80 this year, which was ₹60 last year. People were willing to buy it at ₹80 now as there was an increased awareness of the benets of the tender coconut, she added.
“People have realised that aerated drinks only provide temporary relief and are also full of chemicals,” she said.
She got tender coconuts from a contractor, who sourced them from Pollachi.
She said, “We have been doing this business for more than 40 years, and this is our livelihood throughout the year.”
This year, many ‘elani kadaikal’ (tender coconut outlets) have introduced a new beverage called ‘elani sarbath’ made from tender coconut, its kernal and nannari syrup to appeal to the younger generation, she said, adding that glass was sold at ₹60.
P. Muniyandi, another tender coconut seller in the same area, said though this year the price had increased, people were willing to buy it.
A. Veeruchamy, a nungu seller at Arappalayam bridge, said although the sales were good this year, there were not enough fruits. Prices also seemed to have increased.
Last year, three pieces of the fruit cost ₹20, but this year, ve pieces cost ₹50. He bought the fruits
afrom his native village Podumbu, he said.
“It provides me enough for my livelihood during these summer months”, he said. The rest of the year, he worked in elds, he added.
E.N. Murugan, another nungu seller, said he was very happy with this year’s sales.
“Palm trees are being cut and lands are being converted into housing plots. The trees become a cheap fuel for brick kilns. So the fruit’s availability has decreased this year and prices have he said.
Deepa Senthilrajan, dietician at Vadamalayan Hospital, Madurai, said tender coconuts when consumed regulated the PH of the body. They contained essential minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, etc. Moreover, they also helped in replenishing electrolytes in the body.
Nungu prevented ulcers and other digestive issues and prevented heat-related ailments such as prickly heat, diarrhoea, migraines, etc., she said. increased,”