Neera & coconut sap chiller

Neera & coconut sap chiller

Subject: Geography

Context: An invention by the Kasaragod-based Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) is helping farmers to get quality sap. ‘Coconut sap chiller’, CPCRI’s invention of collecting neera from coconut spadix under cool condition using ice box, has been granted a patent by Intellectual Property of India.

Concept:

• One of the major uses of palm trees is the tapping of sap from it to be sold as a beverage. In the traditional method, the sap from coconut trees – known as neera – is collected in open earthen pots, leading to its contamination and its fermentation
• Neera, also called palm nectar, is a sap extracted from the inflorescence of various species of toddy palms and used as a drink. Neera extraction is generally performed before sunrise. It is sweet, translucent in colour.
• It is susceptible to natural fermentation at ambient temperature within a few hours of extraction. Once fermented, neera becomes toddy.
• Neera is widely consumed in India, Sri Lanka, Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar. Neera is not the juice made from palm fruit.  it is also called as palm wine in india.
• Neera requires neither mechanical crushing, as in the case of sugarcane, nor leaching, like beet-root; it is obtained by slicing the spathes of the coconut, sago, and Palmyra (Borassusflabellifer L.) palm, and scraping the tendermost part, just below the crown.
• Neera is rich in carbohydrates, highly alcoholic mostly sucrose, and has a nearly neutral pH. The chemical percentage composition of neera varies, depending on such factors as place, type of palm, mode and season of collection.
• In Maharashtra and Gujarat, neera is made available through various outlets known as “Neera Vikri Kendra” (Neera sale centre).
• In the above two states the neera is extracted from date palm and pulmyrah trees. In the state like Karnataka where there are abundant Coconut trees the Neera is being taped from coconut trees .
• The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) promotes neera as a health drink.
• The Central Food Technological Research Institute developed a technology to preserve neera for two months, and the government plans to promote neera as an energy drink with medicinal value, packaged in sachets and bottles.
• In Tamil Nadu, neera which is called as “Padaneer” in Tamil, is traditionally extracted and sold which is also called as kallu.
• Neera syrup is used as a drink in Ayurveda.