Vanishing Trades of the 20th Century

TODY - An alcoholic drinks for the lower income group.

A long time ago and even now, beer is still an expensive drink to many especially the lower income group. Locally brewed " tody" is selling for RM1.90 for a litre as compared RM15.00 for a beer! Both beverage having almost similar level of alcohol contents. "Tody" itself is nutritious and prepared daily without addition of preservatives or additives.

Many poorly informed mistaken "Tody" with local moonshine that has bad images and long track record of lead poisoning. If only they understand that they are no distilling involved! Under supervision, we too find the hygienic standards displayed acceptable and chances of contamination are relatively remote!

What is "Tody" then?

The land owner had cultivated these palms and leased the estate together with right to harvest on 2 years renewable contract. The intending party who contracts to work on this estate, needs on a separate basis to bid for a custom license to manufacture "Tody". Such approval are awarded to successful bidder for a duration of 12 months.

This could be a familiar scene to many! Left-A bunch of young coconut nurturing from the flower stalk [inflorescence] On the right, a pale yellow coloured bunch in its flowering stage.

Now a second look -The same scene taken from another tree. The purpose to see the inflorescence in full bloom. The nectar bearing flowers in full bloom. The bees are the sole beneficiary to these nectar. If there is a use and also a way to harvest these nectar in quantity, then the nectar can be transform into nutritious food. Harvesting is the concept and using this raw material to produce "tody" is the process!

The inflorescence upon reaching maturity are prevented from proceeding to the next stage -blooming! See picture- it is properly bundled up to prevent the bracts for bursting open. The tip is sheared to allow the discharge of nectar formed.

This inflorescence is a typical example, with earthen pot on left beside on stand-by to accumulate the discharges. Notice a staff is in position to prop the inflorescence at a near horizontal position away from its 45% natural stance!

Next the act is on!

Inflorescences in full production will have the pots attached to its end to save the nectar dripping out endlessly.

	As the collection is on a daily basis, trees planted for the purpose have tree trunks properly prepared for easy and safe ascend.
The collected fluid upon fermentation will produce that tempting drink "Tody" We were fascinated with the collection process and tried our hands on the procedures!

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