This post is a tribute to one of my all time favorite fruit “Nungu” (Asian palmyra palm, toddy palm, or sugar palm).The palm tree is synonymous to the state of Tamilnadu where I spent most of my childhood, I still remember staring at these palm trees from the bus windows all along the journey no matter where I travelled. Nungu is a translucent, jelly like fruit which tastes unique and resembles no other fruit known to me until I tried Lychee which has the similar texture and that’s about it.
Nungu has a very mild flavor which is really soothing and refreshing.
During my last trip to Tamilnadu (Kovilpatti, Ettayapuram, Tutucurin and enroute to Thiruvanthapuram) I made a point to stop and try nungu wherever possible.
In Kovilpatti this man sells nungu in a big cart. Available all over Tamilnadu throughout the summer.
And that’s what I am talking about!Underneath the pale white skin is our hidden gem. The skill level of the man is so obvious as we cannot see a single scratch on the skin.
This lady sells peeled ready to eat Nungu in the street of Ettayapuram by carrying a big aluminum container on her head filled with Nungu covered with palm leaves
After seeing my fascination, a good friend of mine suggested few road side stalls near Parvathipuram/Nagercoil over bridge that offered one of the best Nungu based drinks. Even though I have tried similar drinks before I was curious to check these stalls out.
I promptly stopped in one of the 4 stalls which was located on this over bridge ( are we supposed to stop on a bridge?Of course!anything is possible)
After ordering our “Nungu sarbath” I started a conversation with the vendor.He recollected how when he was teenager and started this business he used to get Nungu for free and sold it for few paisas(pennies) and how now a days it has become expensive and rare to find good quality nungu.
He said this “Raja sarbath” (red-sugary-awesome syrup)still looks and tastes the same as he rememberes when he was a child.
mmmm can’t wait 🙂
When I inquired about the liquid in the glass, he assured me it was pure nungu juice (which comes out when you chop the nungu) and no added water.Needless to say it tasted absolutely divine.
He offered me to try another popular nungu drink.Made of “pathani” a non alcoholic version of toddy,it has an extremely cooling sensation. Loved it would be an understatement.
It was a pleasure talking to him and to share the same passion towards nungu
Apparently these trees are at risk these days due to urbanization.
And I wonder- this humble tree being a symbol of our rich Tamil tradition with so many medicinal and other benefits connected to it,why no efforts are being taken in preserving it?