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Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar

Summer chillers Nongu is the tender fruit of the palmyran plant

“Early in the morning we bring the frutis in mopeds or autos from Kaliyikkavila and Marthandam,” says a youngster engaged in this business at Shanghumoghom. Nongu fruits and nongu meat immersed in sweet nongu water is sold for Rs.10.

Nongu is the tender fruit of the palmyrah palm (Borassus flabellifer),a member of the Palmaceae family. Also known as toddy palm or jaggery palm on account of the products obtained from it, the plant is believed to have originated in Africa and grows well in the arid zones of the subcontinent.

Almost all of its edible parts, including fruits, tender and ripe, sprouts, cabbage and inflorescence sap satiates the hunger and thirst of those toiling under the sun in these regions. The tree has been declared the State tree of Tamil Nadu.

The female palmyrah palm starts flowering when it around 12 to 15 years old. Each palm bears six to 12 bunches with 10 to 20 fruits in each bunch. Like tender coconut, nongu is harvested from these bunches when it is still not ripe. The dark brown/purple black fruits (botanically known as drupe), about the size of a small coconut and slightly flattened at both sides with tight green caps, look attractive. Embedded in the tough white fibrous mesocarp are three seed sockets containing edible kernels.

The kernels are translucent and jelly-like with a crunchy texture, similar to that of lychee or rambutan. But the sweetness is mild, almost bland.

The kernel is covered outside with a pale yellow white membrane and filled inside with sweet potable water.

Nongu, called Tadgola in Hindi and lontar fruit in Indonesia and Java is well known for its amazing cooling effect , making it a popular fruit in summer. The British called it ‘ice apple’ for its cooling effect and translucent ice-like flesh. It is best eaten fresh and tender. On storing the loose kernels, the fruit sugar ferments to alcohol giving it a mild astringent taste.

Chilled nongu, nongu payasam, nongu ice cream and nongu fruit shakes are now available.

So is preserved nongu. Nongu meat or nongu mixed with tender coconut and immersed in chilled, sweetened milk flavoured with cardamom is served in certain shops during summer. In addition to quenching thirst, the fruit has nutritional and medicinal value too.

It is packed with minerals. With almost no protein, fat, or carbohydrates, the fruit is a boon for those on a diet and patients. The fruit along with other edible parts of the palmyrah is used for treating stomach and skin disorders.

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