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Coimbatore
As mercury rises, tender coconut turns popular natural drink
April 13, 2018
Coimbatore: With day temperatures in the city hovering round 35 degrees Celsius, people are turning towards fresh juice and soft drinks. But the trend for natural drinks has seen tender coconuts score as it is both safe and cost-effective.
Ellanikarur, who sells tender coconuts near GN Mills has been into this business for the last three years. He sells them at Rs 30 a piece and says demand is higher for the orange variety, unlike the green one, because of more water and its cooling down the body immediately. Since these orange ones are not available on a regular basis, people go in for the green ones.
About kernel in the coconut, he says any variety that has grown over at least 40 days has edible material in it. He was unwilling to get into details like the daily average sales.
Tender coconut comes mainly from Pollachi and Annaikatti. His customers are mostly senior citizens since it is safe and good for health. Tender coconuts increase metabolism and are low on calories and have natural minerals and vitamins.
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Another vendor Saraswathi who has been into the business for 17 years near VG Hospital says, “There is no difference between the orange and green ones. About 100 people come to my shop daily helping me earn around Rs 500. The sales saw a slight dip this year when compared to last since a lot of other people have started selling the stuff in the vicinity.”
About hotels giving it in the form of milkshakes she said, “What we sell is natural and good for health because in hotels it is either stored or chemicals are mixed to add to the taste.”
Another seller Periyasamy who sells the material right opposite Kannan Departmental stores on the Thudiyalur- GN Mills stretch says, “On Saturday and Sunday we have a good crowd. I have been into this business for the last seven years and a lot of people come to me.”
He charges only Rs 25 when the usual rate is Rs 30 because he gets his stuff locally. He says the smaller the coconut, the greater are chances of more water.
Of late this natural drink has found a place in the menu of restaurants in the form of tender coconut milkshake and sweet kheer. Tender coconut is believed to help in maintaining weight, keep sugar level low and is also seen as an energy drink, especially by those after sweating it out at the gym.
