Asia #1

The Palmyra palm is widespread throughout India and Southeast Asia and is used for sugar production by making an incision in the inflorescence of the palm and then collecting the juice. This contains approx. 15% sugar and lots of proteins, mineral salts and trace elements. The up to 20 litres of juice a palm can produce daily must be continuously tapped so as not to ferment, this process you want to carry out controlled to get the best palm wine. In India, this wine is called Toddy, found in a myriad of local varieties, has a relatively low alcohol content but is enjoyed in rich quantities and with great pleasure, mostly by men, at bars all along the Indian coast.