Kalparasa: Health drink made out of coconut sap

With an aim to augment the income of coconut growers, Bharatiya Kissan Sangha and Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Udupi Kalparasa Coconut and All spices producer company limited will be marketing Neera under the brand name, ‘Kalparasa.’

Neera is a natural health drink extracted from the inflorescence of coconut trees and is claimed to have three times the nutrients as compared to tender coconut.

The coconut sap is collected and scientifically processed in a controlled atmosphere to prevent fermentation thus making Neera a zero alcoholic beverage. The fermented sap is called ‘toddy’ which is a traditional alcoholic beverage.

The Excise department has given a temporary licence to set up a Neera unit at Japthi in Kundapur taluk and this will be the second unit in the state for distribution of this drink. Malenadu Nuts and Spices (MNS) has been marketing Neera in Bengaluru, Shivamogga and other cities.

Reports claim that if eight coconut trees are tapped for Kalparasa, the farmers can earn a minimum of one lac a year.

Satyanarayana Udupa, Chairman and Founder Udupi Kalparasa Coconut And All Spices Producers Company Ltd Udupi, said that if the grower himself undertakes the responsibility of tapping and bringing Kalparasa down from the trees every day, they can earn over two lac rupees per year with eight to ten healthy trees.

The process of collecting Kalparasa is similar to traditional toddy tapping. It is however collected in hygienic boxes (ice box technology) from the trees to prevent fermentation, before being supplied to societies.

Kalparasa is served in 200ml bottles and the utensils for the collection of Kalparasa are designed and supplied by CPCRI.