Emerging Trends in the Production Oe Coconut Water Beverages in India M
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
EMERGING TRENDS IN THE PRODUCTION OE COCONUT WATER BEVERAGES IN INDIA M. Thomas Mathew I. Introduction Coconut occupies an incredible place of significance in the Indian Economy due to its dual nature of utility. As a horticultural crop, it provides food and livelihood security to millions of people in the country besides being served as an inevitable item in the socio- religious rituals. It is the unique beverage crop that provides refreshing drinks filled with vitamins and minerals of natural origin. The ripe kernel which is rich in lauric acid and dietary fiber is an important ingredient in the culinary preparations of many households in India and hence become daily dietary item in the food basket. As a cash crop, it is cultivated mainly for the production of copra and further extraction of coconut oil, which is also distinguished by multifarious applications. Coconut oil is one of the important cooking oils in the country and hence fulfills about 6 per cent of the total oil pool of the country. Coconut oil is also used in the non-edible sector Hosur Road. Bangalore Bhadrachalam. T \ mainly for the manufacture of superior quality soaps, shampoo and other nutreceutical products. Thus coconut is considered as the gateway and lifeline of Indian populace. Even though coconut and coconut products are found C hennai extensive uses and have consistent demand throughout the country. its substantial production is confined to four southern states of India, viz. Kerala. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh accounting for more than 90% of the coconut production. It is estimated that out of the total The Sale of Tender Coconuts in India production of 14,800 million nuts COCOINFO INTERNATIONAL. VOL 18. No. 2. 2011 about 2220 million nuts are oxidative rancidity, pleasing etc. Dried leaves and other palm utilized in the country for tender flavour and good digestibility parts are used as fuel. The coconut water. The consumption besides using directly as hair oil spindle leaf is used for decoration of tender coconut water is and body oil. Coconut oil and costuming in folk dances. gaining momentum and is derivatives are used in most of The midribs of leaves are used to expected to increase to the tune the cosmetic products. The make brooms, fish traps, and of 4500 million nuts by 2010. coconut oil cake, the byproduct baskets and tongue cleaner. The This paper examines the current of oil industry is in great demand husk yields fiber and pith. status of the crop as consumer and is a major ingredient in the Coconut fiber is used for making goods, particularly as food and manufacturing of cattle feed. an array of products ranging from beverage commodity of millions coir mats to geo-textiles, which of people across the country and The inflorescence sap, command consumer demand then further explains how the traditionally called “neera”, is through out the world. The coir Indian tender coconut water produced from the unopened and coir products forms an export industry is slowly making its spathe/ inflorescence of selected commodity of the producing mark internationally as a healthy palms, through a process countries. Coconut pith, a by favourite destination. The paper known as tapping by skilled product of coir industry is ideal is classified in to five parts. Part-1 climbers. It has varied organic manure on composting, is introduction followed by commercial application. Neera. soil conditioner and rooting Economic importance of the crop without fermentation is an ideal medium besides having many in the country and an over view isotonic drink composed for other end uses. The spathe and of domestic coconut industry in vitamins, minerals and free stipules are used as fuel and also Part-II. The Part III explain the nuclei. It is used for production for making handicrafts and other health benefit aspects of coconut of palm sugar, jaggery, vinegar, attractive articles. Coconut is an followed by the main theme of wine and arrack in many eco-friendly plant which helps to the presentation, “Tender countries. Besides, the conserve soil, provides aesthetic Coconut Water: an emerging inflorescence is used to make beauty to the nature, perennial beverage and a lifesaving tonic” ayurvedic medicines. Another and less exhaustive and ideal tree in Part-IV with a concluding important product that has got for bio-hedging on the coastal session in Part-V. consumer demand, throughout ecosystem. Coconut farming, the country, is tender coconut. It trade and processing activities 2. Economic Importance is a nutritious health drink which sustain the livelihood of millions is diuretic and re-hydrating fluid. of people across the globe. It Coconut palm is considered as The tender coconut water is a provides livelihood securities to the benevolent and benign tree, base for many ayurvedic more than 10 million people in which provides food, drinks and preparations. Of late tender 18 states and 3 union territories shelter to mankind. Coconut coconut is also used for the of India. Coconut contributes kernel forms an important manufacturing of wine. The more than US$ 2000 million to ingredient in the diet of many water of mature nut yields the country’s GDP apart from an people in India. Coconut milk, various products such as vinegar, export earning of USS 150 extracted from the grated wet nata-de-coccoa, edible jelly and million. kernel, is an indelible additive in wine. culinary preparations to make the 3. Coconut for Food and food nutritious and tastier. Copra, The shell is used as a fuel besides Nutrient Security the dried kernel, is one of the manufacturing various richest sources of vegetable oils. commercial products like shell Coconut and coconut products As edible oil its consumption is powder, shell charcoal, shell- play a vital role in uplifting the mostly confined to the state of based activated carbon, ice cream nutritional status along with Kerala and the boarder districts, cups, buttons of garments, utility health protection of the of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. articles and show pieces. The soft population particularly in Coconut oil is an important raw bud known as cabbage or southern India where coconut is material for many industrial coconut “heart” is edible and consumed in the form of an products; such as toilet soaps, nutritious. The matured coconut important ingredient in the daily liquid soaps, shaving cream and timber is a strong building diet. It also plays an important natural shampoos. Similarly material apart from making role in supplying the minimum coconut oil finds extensive use in furniture, wall panels, per capita daily requirement of the food industry due to its showpieces and floor tiles. The optimum calories of the low- characteristics such as easy plaited leaf of the palm is used income group of people in these melting behavious, resistance to for thatching, fencing, shading, states. In Kerala, at times of COCOINFO INTERNATIONAL, VOL 18, No. 2, 2011 21 consistently in short supply of Table 1. Constituents of fully ripe kernel rice during the monsoon season, people have access to diverse No. Items Quantity in percentage non-cereal food sources, which form part of the daily diet 1 Moisture 35.40 contributing to a significant 2 Protein 5.50 proportion of the calorie intake. 3 Fat 44 The common non-cereal foods to 4 Carbohydrates 0.60 which the people have ready 5 Crude fiber 3.00 access are coconut; tapioca, yam 6 Ash 2.10 and other tubers; jack and banana including other plantains. The Table 2. Constituents of Tender Coconut Water combined contribution of dietary No. Items Quantity in Percentage energy from these sources is 1 Total Solids 4.71 more than that derived from the 2 Reducing sugars 0.08 domestic output of cereals. Hence the fruit of coconut is 3 Sucrose 1.28 considered as the reservoir of 4 Total sugars 2.08 food and nutrition. Therefore 5 Ash 0.62 coconut is a veritable source of 6 Unidentified organic substances 2.01 food and drink to millions of 7 Sodium 15 mg people across the country. Since 8 Potassium 312 mg coconut is composed of 9 Calcium 29 mg important nutrients in reasonable 10 Magnesium 30 mg, quantity, consumption of coconut either in fresh or any other form 11 Iron 0.01 mg at least twice or thrice a week 12 Copper 0.04 mg would go a long way in 13 Phosphorous 37 mg achieving the nutritional security 14 Sulfur 24 mg as well. Thus growing two or 15 Chloride 183 mg three coconut in a home stead not only provide aesthetic Table 3. Constituents of immature kernel environment to the dwellings but No. Items Quantity in percentage also ensure constant availability 1 Moisture 90.80 of a fairly balanced diet to the family members and thereby 2 Protein 0.80 improve in nutrient intake status. 3 Fat 1.30 4 Carbohydrates 6.30 The mature coconut kernel is the 5 Ash 0.60 rich source of protein, fat, carbohydrate and dietary fiber. Similarly the tender coconut preparations ensures adequate beyond the basic nutrients. The water is the natural source of supply of balanced diet. role of coconut in providing food vitamins and minerals. The Similarly, coconut oil, a medium security with links to poverty major constituents of ripe kernel chain saturated fatty acid, rich in alleviation, policy planning, and tender coconut water are lauric acid, is ideal source of control of malnutrition, dietary fat. India annually given in table 1-3. improving health for millions of produces about 4.5 lakhs MT of coconut oil and 1.7 lakh MT of people in the country is Coconut based food and considered important. Its unique beverages are highly nutritive edible copra.