A Nungu on a Hot Day

Few would have enjoyed a couple of refreshing slices of the Nungu on a hot day. The fruit of the Palmyra tree, this simple delicacy is a treat for parched throats. Called tadgola by the Maharashtrians & Gujratis, this was given the most apt name by the British. They called it an Ice-apple. One cannot think of a better name for this fruit.

Tastemaster happened to come across a hawker peddling this by a bus stop on a sultry afternoon in Chennai. Its quite cheap at 8 pieces for Rs.10. But as the older generation would say, it used to be cheaper.

A fruit usually contains three to four segments of fleshy consistency. These are covered by an off-white skin which has to be peeled off before consumption. Purists insist on eating it with the skin on as it prevents stomach related problems.Personally, the skin is bitter.

The best part of this fruit is, after you’ve peeled the skin, which is quite a messy job and quite tough too, when you bite into this soft chunk of fruit, you are surprised by a delicious trickle of sweet water onto your tongue (Ofcourse, the surprise is only if you’re having it for the first time).
Though you can get only a few drops of this juice, it is surprisingly enough to quench your thirst.
This can be because, the fleshy fruit has a large proportion of water in it.

The taste of the Nungu is not unlike the flesh you get inside tender coconuts. However, it is slightly different.Nungu dipped in sugar is a delightful combination.

The fruit is refreshing after a long walk in the sun or after a bout of exercise. But you have to be patient and get the skin off. But, the effort is definitely worth it.

Be sure to get hold of a few pieces from your neighbourhood vendor & check out this simple, cheap & yet delicious fruit.

Cheers!