Toddy is an incredibly popular alcoholic beverage in Sri Lanka. If you are willing to try out something bold you should certainly give this a chance! It is one of the cheapest alcoholic beverages that you will find in the market too. In Sri Lanka you will find three variants of toddy, namely, thal raa, kithul raa and pol raa. Out of these, pol raa, which is made using the flower of the coconut tree, is immensely popular.
As you travel in the southern and western coastal areas of the country in the early morning hours, you will frequently see men, precariously walking on tight ropes attached to two coconut trees. These are the legendary toddy tappers who risk their lives to bring the sweet tastes of this beverage to the common man. This is a very dangerous profession and not many youngsters are keen to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors. Because of this reason, toddy tapping can be categorized as a dying industry.
The process of toddy tapping is quite simple. After the flower is removed from the coconut tree it is beaten for three days. The sap of the flower flows out on the fourth day. Then a large pot is places underneath the flower to collect it. This is the toddy that intoxicates and delights the locals immensely.
As you travel in the island with Green Holiday Centre, you too can enjoy the invigorating tastes of toddy and create a memory to last a lifetime!
