Taking food route to beat the heat

In Madurai, people take refuge in jigarthanda, a local favourite, made of ice cream and sea algae, which has the capacity to lower the impact of the dry heat of the city. The people in the city prefer jigarthanda to other soft drinks. “It is a hit because of good quality and taste. Apart from that, it also helps to maintain the body temperature during summer,” said Sivakumar, an engineering student. 

People in Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram resort to palm products, available in abundance in the region, to keep their cool in the searing heat. Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram together contribute more than 50 per cent of palm products in the state. 

Udangudi palm halwa and palm jaggery are famous all over the world. Consumption of palm juice and palm fruit (nungu) was a must for the people in this region. 

“In the morning, palm juice is sold in farm lands and every farmer will consume it to battle the heat. It is highly nutritious and available in plenty here,” said Varadharajan, a farmer in Thoothukudi. 

“At present, there is high demand for palm fruit and it has become costly and gone out of the reach of common people,” he added. The sarbath made of palm fruit keeps the people of Kanniyakumari cool during the summer. 

Similarly, the Madurai sarbath made of tender coconuts and watermelon too helps in the battle against the heat.