Come summer and vendors busy chopping and selling tender palmyrah fruits is a common sight in south India. This fruit, locally known as nongu, is brought in bulk from regions bordering and within Tamil Nadu.. They sell nongu fruits and nongu chunks immersed in sweet nongu water for around ten to fifteen rupees. Nongu is the tender fruit of palmyrah palm (Borassus flabellifer),a member of palmaceae family. Also known as toddypalm or jaggery palm for the products obtained from it.
Originating in Africa, the tree grows well in the arid zones of the subcontinent. Almost all of its edible parts, including tender-fruits, ripe-fruits, sprouts, cabbage and inflorescence sap satiates the hunger and thirst of those toiling under the hot sun in these regions. The tree is highly associated with Tamil culture and is declared as the state tree of Tamil Nadu. The female palmyrah palm starts flowering at 12-15 years. Each palm bears 6-12 bunches with 10-20....
