Mangaluru: The coastal belt of Karnataka is decorated with tall coconut trees all over, yet a tender coconut here costs anywhere between Rs 30 to Rs 45. While this refreshing natural drink, which is loaded with goodness remains unaffordable to many, here is a place in Mangaluru that sells one litre of tender coconut water at just Rs 16.
This happens at the factory of a leading ice cream brand located in Adyar, nearly five kilometres from the city.
During the summer season, people make a beeline outside this factory holding bottles. Around 6000 to 7000 coconuts are collected here on an average to make the brand’s signature tender coconut ice cream. The company uses only the coconut cream and the water in the tender coconut lands in a huge container outside. The customers can either drink the tender coconut water there or take it in containers paying a nominal amount.
Conditions Apply
As they charge a very nominal amount, the management of the factory has put some conditions too and the condition is that one individual can take away only one litre of tender coconut water. The customers have to bring their own bottles and if a customer wants to drink the water in the factory premises the quantity is limited to 750 ml.
Sources on conditions of anonymity told Newskarnataka.com that as large number of people throng the factory to relish the tender coconut water and they are forced to deploy extra labour for this service. “Due to some technical reasons, we are manually operating the machines with limited employees. As a huge number of people come here, we are unable to extend the service to all. After the technical problems are rectified, this service too will be made more systematised,” he informed.
