HYDERABAD: If you want a change from eating mangoes, then why not try some palm fruit instead. Locally known as Taati munjalu, it is mostly available around the southern region in states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The fruit is available in regions which have a dry, tropical weather as it suits the growth of the palmyra tree from which the fruit is borne.
The season for palm fruit is from May to August and it is during these months that it is available in abundance.
The soft jelly like interior comes in a variety of textures and has a uniformly sweet taste. What is eaten actually is the seed of the palmyra palm fruit. Three ice apples are produced by one tree usually. This ice apple is covered with a light brown fibrous outer skin, which when peeled off, leaves behind the edible translucent jelly filled with water.
Depending on how mature the seed is, the texture of the ice apple ranges from firm to crunchy to succulent and soft.
Besides the palm fruit itself, one sees many products made from it which are available all around the year like jaggery (sugar made from palm fruit) and arrack (sweet alcohol made from the palm fruit). The palm fruit has great nutritional value and traditionally the fruit is used to treat digestive issues and stomach ailments.