Mysureans increasingly consume fresh juice, tender coconut, use clay pots to beat summer

As the mercury level is increasing steadily, people are finding traditional ways to beat the heat. Tender coconut, fresh fruit juices, lime soda as well as instant juice, aerated drinks and mouth-watering lassi top the list of the consumers to quench their thirst. In addition, clay water pots are in great demand, in the city.

Despite hot summer in 2020, there was no business for vendors due to lockdown and a majority of them, particularly tender coconut growers had incurred huge loss due to less demand. But this summer, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, fruits as well as fresh juice vendors are making brisk business. The business is 30% high compared to previous years, claim vendors.

Tender coconuts are in great demand and the city is facing a shortage. A vendor near Court Complex, Rajanna, said that he has been selling more than 400 coconuts per day and there is shortage from the last one week. Rajanna is in the business from the last eight years and for the first time, he is facing shortage.

Savinaya, a teacher, said that she drinks one tender coconut with a piece of lemon per day to beat the heat. “For me, tender coconut is the best solution for excess heat, as it is natural,” she said.

The hot summer has come as a blessing for clay pot vendors.

The pots, which were known as poor man’s fridge, are sold like hot cakes across the city. Clay pot stalls have come up near Kalamandira, Bamboo Bazar, Aishwarya Petrol bunk circle, Bannur Road and other parts of the city.

A fruit juice vendor near Aishwarya Petrol Bunk, Chandru, said that he opened the stall a month back and is doing good business. “I sell a minimum of 100 glasses of juice. Watermelon and muskmelon juice are in great demand,” he said.

Several sellers from Rajasthan have arrived in the city with loads of pots.

Shyam, a clay pot vendor, who is into business from the last seven years in Mysuru, said, “Almost every house in the city has clay pots. Mysureans store drinking water in pots, as it keeps the water cool and it is also healthy. I am in Mysuru since seven years and the demand for pots is growing with every passing year.”

A tea stall vendor, Chandru, said, “Demand for tea and coffee has declined. People are asking for buttermilk and lassi. I store buttermilk in a clay pot to maintain its temperature. It is also good for health.” Chandru sells approximately 150 glasses of butter milk a day.