Neera- A Potential Natural Health Drink

Naveen Jose*¹, Gajanan P Deshmukh² and Menon Rekha Ravindra³

Received: November 21, 2018;   Published: November 29, 2018

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.11.002114

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Abstract

Growing health consciousness among the population in India has boosted the growth of health drinks industry in India. The segment has posted a healthy growth rate of around 40% in last few years, with a total turnover of more than Rs. 6.7 billion in 2008. Players in the industry hope to maintain the strong growth rate. So far, the use of these kinds of drinks has not percolated to the mass market. Pricing as well as consumer awareness regarding the energy drinks remain the most critical factors for the success of health drinks in the country. Neera, also called palm nectar, is the phloem sap extracted from the inflorescence of various species of toddy palms which is used as a nutritious health drink. Neera is called sweet toddy since it contains zero percentage alcohol in it and is known as padaneer in Tamil Nadu. Toddy and Neera can be called as fermented sap and non-fermented sap. It is a refreshing and light drink, translucent in colour, extremely cool in sensation, sugary sweet to taste, similar to palm juice which is susceptible to natural fermentation at ambient temperature within a few hours of extraction due to enzymatic and microbial fermentation since it is rich in sugars, vitamins, proteins, minerals.