THE sukku malli kapi native of Tamil Nadu is a refreshing drink in the villages even now. The taste is anything but coffee but it is said to relieve stress or a headache instantly and moreover it has no caffeine.
The dry ginger is the sukku, dry coriander seeds are the malli and the watery concoction is called the kappi.
Scrumptious jaggery is used as the sweetener. It even relieves body ache and party hangover I am told.
Ramana Tea stall in Besant Nagar sells this sukku kapi with a slight variation- addition of cow’s milk.
This kapi is called as Arul’s sukku kapi (Rs 6). It’s just a brand name and with a bit of persuasion you might be able to buy the instant kapi mix. It first tastes like Complan drink with dry ginger but that is only due to the milk. As you take a second sip you know the change in taste. There are micro granules of the powder settled like sediment so you have to shake it well. You may even want to take a bite of their fat butter biscuits (Re. 1 each) or the hot vazhaikai and chilli baji (Rs. 4 each).
The baji’s are not oily and have less salt in them. The batter is devoid of the usual baking soda and they make the baji’s as you order them. A watery coconut chutney is the accompaniment which has an over dose of ginger. Why cant people eliminate ginger? Someone once told me that ginger takes away the smell of stale coconut. It could possibly be true.
The usual Three Roses’ tea and Bru coffee is sold too. This café has a steady flow of customers and on the weekends, the beach and church goers throng this place and take parcels.
The entire operations of this café is visible so I had a sub conscious trust in their quality. Samosas are always sold out first and vadas are available in the mornings.
Coming back to Sukku kapi I always wonder why we have to have health food only when we are sick? Sukku Kapi is not a medicine but just another traditional drink that can be had everyday.
Average cost for two: Rs. 25 Ramana Tea Stall Near Besant Nagar Church.