Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Apr 8: With temperatures rising in the coastal region, residents are seeking relief from the scorching heat. The demand for the refreshing and healthy drink of tender coconut has surged, with Mangaluru alone witnessing the sale of 30,000 to 35,000 tender coconuts daily.

Tender coconuts are predominantly supplied from Tamil Nadu to meet the soaring demand, resulting in an increase in prices. Currently, the average price of tender coconut stands between Rs 40 to 45, with over 300 shops in the city catering to this demand. Watermelon is also experiencing high demand, with some vendors even offering wholesale rates on footpaths.

In addition to tender coconut, there is a demand for sugarcane juice and fruit juice. Long queues can be observed outside ice cream parlours as people seek refreshing beverages.

Traditionally sold by hawkers on footpaths, tender coconuts are now available even in malls, attracting the younger generation who are increasingly turning towards healthier options over foreign soft drinks.

Advancements in technology have revolutionized the process of cutting tender coconuts, with specialized equipment and even electrically operated machines being employed for cutting and scraping. These machines facilitate efficient cutting and scraping of tender coconuts into two halves after the water is consumed.

According to Dr Devadas Shetty, tender coconut offers numerous health benefits, including prevention of dehydration, absence of harmful chemicals, treatment of stomach infections, provision of vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes for energy, improvement of blood circulation, maintenance of kidney health due to high potassium content, and assistance in weight reduction owing to its low-fat content.