Udupi: Ice apple trade gains momentum in winter

Udupi: With the Monsoon season ending and mornings turning chilly while afternoons feel summery, the streets of Udupi have become lively with the sale of ice apples (Tale Bonda/Hane Bonda/Tadgola).

In the coastal region, there is always a high demand for cool beverages during summer. While tender coconuts are sourced from other districts and states, fruits suitable for the season are also sold.

Now, as the transitional period between the rainy and summer seasons unfolds, the trade of ice apples has picked up pace.

10-15 Vendors Active

Around 10 to 15 traders are selling palm sprouts in and around Udupi. These include both locals and traders from other districts residing temporarily in the area. Each fruit typically contains 1 to 3 “eyes.” Each eye is sold for Rs 10, with a minimum purchase of three eyes required.

Perishable Nature Demands Swift Sale

Ice apples must be sold within one or two days of being plucked from the tree. If not, the fruits harden inside, making them less palatable. Fleshy eyes of the fruits are best eaten when tender. Due to this, traders hesitate to over-harvest for fear of wastage. “The trade has picked up over the past week,” says Kiran, an ice apple vendor.

Where to Find Them?

Ice apples are being sold at various prominent spots, including:

• City Bus and Service Bus Stands in Udupi
• BCM Hostel Road near Bannanje-Brahmagiri
• Roads leading to Shri Krishna Matha
• Udupi-Manipal Road near Lakshmindra Nagar
• Near RSB Circle in Manipal
  They are also sold along the National Highway.

Steady Demand

“We bring palm sprouts from Yermal for sale. The demand is currently good. My wife, son, and I are engaged in this business. We are originally from Davanagere. We come to Udupi during this season and return home after it ends to focus on farming,” says Naga Naik, an ice apple trader.