Life style

King of coconuts heads for a golden future

Published

1 month ago

2024/11/17

King coconut lab testing at CRI

Characterized by its golden exterior, Sri Lankan King coconut or thambili is endemic to the island. In a bid to tap a premium global niche market for this golden nut which traditionally equaled the modern-day saline, the Coconut Research Institute has embarked on ambitious research which is promised to be a ticket in obtaining Geographical Indication (GI) Certification for the much-loved thirst quencher.

BY RANDIMA ATTYGALLE

Traditionally in Sri Lanka, a guest is welcomed with a tall glass of refreshing thambili water. A popular pre-lunch drink, thambili translating to ‘king coconut’ befits this golden-hued nut endemic to Sri Lanka. Thambili is an integral part of many Lankan lives. From being an organic thirst-quencher to a notable base of ayurvedic medicines, this king of nuts even occupies the pride of place in religious and cultural landscape of the island.

Bunches of thambili are often used for decorative purposes at traditional cultural festivals. Naturally sterile, thambili water had been a trusted antidote of native physicians since time immemorial. A traditional substitute for modern day life-saving saline, a bottle of thambili water or even a bunch of thambili was often taken by locals when visiting a recovering patient. Its jelly-like kernel commonly called londha is another edible delight.

Endemic variety

“In many coconut-growing countries, there are primarily two types of coconut palms: Tall and dwarf. Only a few countries have recorded intermediate types, and Sri Lanka has one such variety called Aurantiaca, which means orange coloured in Latin. Within this variety, there are four types of coconut, including king coconut – Nawasi Thambili, Rathran Thambili, and Bothal Thambili. King Coconut is considered endemic to Sri Lanka. Although populations with a similar appearance have been recorded in other countries, they belong to the red dwarf variety. Only Sri Lanka has a well-distributed population of king coconut,” says Dr. Auchithya Dissanyaka, Head of the Genetics Implant Division of the Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka (CRI).

King coconut export as whole nuts

GI for a premium price

In a backdrop where the demand for thambili or Sri Lankan king coconut in the international market is on the rise, the CRI is now in the process of differentiating the other dwarf varieties from the Sri Lankan king coconut. The effort is perceived to be a gateway in obtaining the Geographical Indication (GI) certification for our thambili.

GI is an international labeling system that identifies a product originating from a specific geographical area. It recognizes qualities, characteristics, or the product’s reputation that are importantly linked or attributable to its location. GI-certified products which have the international protection are also at an advantage of fetching a premium price over non-GI competitos. Sri Lanka obtained its first-ever GI certification in 2022 for ‘Ceylon Cinnamon’ from the European Union.

Booming beverage industry

Our king coconut is mainly exported as whole nuts and bottled/canned coconut water. From only 2.96 million nuts in 2014, local king coconut exports have risen to 12.91 million nuts as of 2023. The natural beverage industry is also booming in the international market, creating a high potential for the coconut water industry to become a high-value export industry. In 2022, the coconut water market was worth USD 5.2 billion, and it is estimated to increase to USD 20.24 billion by 2030 (zionmarketresearch.com).

Rathran Thambili

“While other coconut water exporting countries use water from either tall or dwarf varieties, Sri Lanka has a unique opportunity to compete in the international market with its indigenous king coconut variety which is of intermediate type. Brazilian Green Dwarfs and Aromatic Green Dwarfs from Thailand are two main coconut varieties in the beverage coconut industry. To successfully compete in the international market, it is crucial to distinguish king coconut from other varieties in the global market,” remarks Dr. Dissanayaka.

The scientists at the CRI are presently conducting molecular and biochemical studies for this purpose, she says. They are also in the process of collecting king coconut germplasm to establish a gene bank to conserve the genetic material of king coconut. “We are selecting best mother palms across the country to go for island-wide characterization and we are almost nearing completion. Following that, we are moving into specific characterization which will differentiate our king coconut from other varieties,” explains the scientist. The project is supported by connected institutions of the CRI including the Coconut Development Board and the Coconut Cultivation Board.

Ongoing research

In addition to the Morphological and Molecular diversity related researches on germplasm conservation which will generate information required to obtain GI, CRI’s king coconut research branches out to several other areas. “We are also carrying out nursery experiments to enhance effective seedling production, floral biology related researches to enhance the breeding programmes and mother palm collection to produce seedlings with good genetic potential,” explains Research Officer, Genetics and Plant Breeding Division of the CRI, Oshan Thilakarathne.

Nawasi Thambili

Sri Lankan king coconut is still largely confined to home gardens although several plantation companies have now come forward to expand the cultivation to plantation level. “The fact that our nuts are largely sourced from home gardens also render it to be fully organic – a factor which enables us to maintain a niche in the international market,” says Thilakarathne who goes onto cite its health properties. “It is a natural beverage high in minerals and is ideal as a sports drink today. In Ayurveda, king coconut water is used to treat renal and urinary tract related diseases.” King coconut water is also considered a dietary antioxidant.

Growing export market

Sri Lanka’s king coconut export market is growing and the possible GI Certification could take it to the next level, says CRI’s Senior Research Officer Nilmini Jayalath. “Ever since we started exporting from around 2010, our king coconut export volume has grown bigger and last year we exported 12.9 million nuts. Our leading buyers are the Middle Eastern countries, Singapore, Maldives, Japan, France, Switzerland, and Germany.” Although king coconut water is exported in value added forms such as in sachets, bottles and in cubes, the demand for ours as whole nuts is much bigger because in the international market, the demand for the natural form is intense,” says the Senior Research Officer.

Wayside Thembili vendors – a common Lankan sight

The scarcity of nuts is one of the major challenges to reach the full potential of our king coconut exports remarks Jayalath. “Local consumption alone demands increased volumes and during the last dry season the nut price went up to Rs 200-250 in the local market. Therefore, to increase the availability of nuts, the Coconut Cultivation Board has initiated many schemes including king coconut villages,” notes the scientist.

Harnessing new technology

In addition to the king coconut characterization studies, the comprehensive research programme on king coconut includes the development of tissue culture technology, and strategies to mitigate the seasonality of production. “By addressing these aspects, CRI aims to not only boost yields but also ensure that the industry can meet growing consumer demand year-round,” says Dr. Nayanie Aratchige, Acting Director of the CRI.

The CRI has developed technology to increase the shelf life of young king coconuts, aiming at enhancing the export potential. The new technology developed by the CRI encompasses the largely untapped potential of king coconut trade due to challenges in preservation and transportation, offering solutions that enhance the shelf life and quality of nuts. “Preserving the freshness and nutritional value of king coconut during transit enables tapping distant markets without compromising quality. Producers and exporters can access further information and learn about our trainings by calling the CRI on the short code 1928,” Dr. Aratchige concludes.

(Pic credit- Coconut Research Institute, Wikipedia)

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Life style

Blending additional warmth to festive v season

Published

21 hours ago

2024/12/22

Thilina Walpola

Pegasus Reef Hotel brought a refreshing twist to the festive season with its much awaited ‘Tropical Christmas’ themed holiday activities by lighting the Christmas Tree and welcoming Santa to the tropics a press release said. The celebrations provided a unique and joyful experience for the whole family, blending the traditional warmth of the festive season with the vibrancy of a tropical setting. The beautifully lit tropical Christmas tree set the tone for both an unforgettable evening and a magical holiday season for all. Guests enjoyed a host of activities including interactive elements for children, including surprise Christmas gifts and photo opportunities with Santa said the release.

The centre piece of the festivities was Santa who made a grand entrance to the event having escaped the cold of the North Pole, to spread the joys of Christmas to young and old in a warm tropical setting. This added to the ambience and brought out that true festive spirit. Tropical-inspired cocktails were available along with delicious food to offer additional flavour to the celebrations.

Commenting on the celebrations, Renuke Coswatte, General Manager of Pegasus Reef Hotel said, “Our Christmas celebrations have always been highly anticipated and has set the tone for the season. This year, by giving festive traditions a tropical twist, we were able to provide our guests, their friends and families a truly unforgettable start to the holiday season. From ‘Santa’s Welcome Party’ coupled with the ‘Tropical Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony’ and with what we have in store in December, the celebrations will truly be unforgettable.”

Pegasus Reef Hotel has garnered a reputation for hosting exciting festive events over the years, making it a top choice for year-end parties for all. So much so, that the hotels Christmas festivities are eagerly anticipated throughout the year. This year’s ‘Tropical Christmas’ celebration was an ideal opportunity for families, couples and friends to celebrate the season in a warm and inviting setting, that features activities for all.

Lighting of the Christmas Tree and Santa’s welcome party brought the magic of ‘Tropical Christmas’ to life blending traditional holiday festivities added with tropical charm. Pegasus Reef Hotel warmly invites everyone to join in the upcoming seasonal celebrations and create cherished family memories that will last a lifetime.

For more information on future events, contact Pegasus Reef Hotel on 0112049600, follow them on social media at facebook.com/Pegasusreefwattala or www.instagram.com/pegasusreef_wattala and visit their website at www.pegasusreefhotel.com.

Life style

Tis the season to sparkle and shine

Published

21 hours ago

2024/12/22

Thilina Walpola

This festive season, step into a world of allure at Taj Samudra Colombo, where the spirit of Christmas is brought to life with joy, celebration, and heartwarming experiences said a press release.In the words of Kris Kringle from A Miracle on 34th Street, “Christmas isn’t just a day; it’s a frame of mind.” At Taj Samudra, we embrace this philosophy with a delightful array of offerings designed to spread joy and festive cheer to our guests throughout the season said the release.

From gourmet hampers to festive family dinners, the Christmas carvery market, and the iconic Christmas goodies hut, our kitchen team has created a magical atmosphere for guests to enjoy, share, and celebrate this season of giving.

Luxury Seasonal Hampers and Wine

This Christmas, Taj Samudra offers the ultimate luxury gift experience with customized seasonal hampers. Choose from a selection of premium wines, Champagne, sparkling wines, and exclusive beverages, along with Christmas cakes, puddings, festival chocolates, cheese, seasonal cookies, and more. Curated to perfection, these hampers are the ideal way to indulge your loved ones with festive joy.

Christmas Carvery Counter

Indulge in the flavors of the season at our Christmas Carvery Counter, featuring a homemade charcuterie station brimming with delicious offerings. Enjoy lamb salami, beef salami, smoked lamb, honey ham, chicken cold cut, smoked seer, chicken liver pate and a variety of other delectable treats, perfect for gathering and sharing with friends and family.

Christmas goodies hut at the lobby

Visit the delightful Christmas goodies hut in our lobby, a stunning display of handpicked seasonal treats created by our award-winning chefs. The Goodies Hut, open daily from 10:00 am to 9.00 pm, offers an array of beautifully decorated seasonal goodies and carefully selected gift items—ideal for gifting or enjoying yourself.

Christmas eve celebrations

On the eve of Christmas, join us for a traditional Christmas eve dinner buffet at Ports of Call, where festive delicacies, live action stations, and mouthwatering desserts await. Santa will make a special appearance to delight the young and the young-at-heart. Additionally, enjoy a festive à la carte lunch and dinner at Golden Dragon, Navratna, and YUMI, our stylish Japanese resto-bar.

Christmas Day Festivities

Celebrate Christmas Day with a traditional festive lunch at Ports of Call, featuring all-time favorites such as succulent turkey and a wide selection of Christmas specialties. Our Executive Chef Sajesh Nair and his kitchen brigade will craft the perfect Christmas spread to satisfy every craving.

The said experience an unforgettable musical evening with The Traveleer Sound Duo from Budapest

The release said The lattice lobby lounge for an unforgettable musical experience with The Traveler Sound Duo from Budapest, Hungary. Known for their captivating performances, this talented duo brings a diverse repertoire that spans pop, rock, jazz, and more, offering something for every music lover. Catch them live every Tuesday to Sunday from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm and enjoy their soulful melodies and dynamic sound in the heart of our vibrant atmosphere. They will also be performing during our renowned Sunday Brunch at Ports of Call, adding the perfect soundtrack to your delightful dining experience.

Unwind and Celebrate at YUMI Japanese Resto Bar and Poolside – Daily Happy Hour from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

This holiday season, experience the magic of Christmas at Taj Samudra Colombo, where every corner of the hotel radiates the joy and warmth of the festive season.

Life style

Hot Red looks for Christmas

Published

21 hours ago

2024/12/22

Thilina Walpola

Christmas is here and we are eager to begin the celebrations. Everything about December is breathtaking and spectacular, with the rapid shift in the weather and the increasing camaraderie. The cherry on top is the excitement of the New Year itself! The joyous month of the New Year and Christmas is filled with delicious delicacies, elegant decorations, lovely attire, and joyful vibes everywhere. Dressing up for Christmas in warm and fashionable red outfits is something we all love. However, if you are still confused about your Christmas attire, don’t worry, we are here to rescue you. When it comes to fashion and style, no one can do it better than our Bollywood queens. Here are some red-hot looks from our fav Bollywood divas to inspire your Christmas outfits.

Kiara Advani is a true fashionista who can pull off any look. While co-ord sets are among the season’s hottest fashions. In a red-coordinated ensemble, Kiara is offering fashion advice to everyone. Her ensemble is the ultimate Christmas attire since it perfectly combines sexiness and elegance. She is wearing a bustier crop top and a high-rise skirt that accentuate her physique. Bronze bangles and earrings completed Kiara Advani’s outfit as accessories. With this attire, you’ll definitely steal the show.

Huma’s red formal outfit serves as the ideal Christmas dress inspiration for you if you are not a fan of fancy attire and prefer a sleek and refined look. Whether it’s a casual gathering or a formal function, pantsuits look great on any occasion. In addition to being fashionable, it will also keep you warm. She looks great with a full-sleeved crimson jacket with a wide horizontal white stripe at the bust and straight-fit ankle leggings. For the best appearance, pair it with stud earrings and minimal makeup. Sara is a diva and she is slaying fashion goals in her little red dress with white frills.

If you wish to grab all the attention at the Christmas party then take cues from Sara and choose a red hot bodycon thigh-high slit little dress. Pair it up with a matching red jacket for the glam look and you will be ready to rock the Christmas party.

Among all the divas, Rakul Preet Singh is one of the most fashionable. The actress always dresses well, whether it’s in a gorgeous gown, party attire, or just something that’s too ethnic. Her red corset-style dress is stunning and a must-have for your Christmas wardrobe. It has an off-the-shoulder design, full sleeves, and a fitting nature. To get the glam look, wear it with pointed shoes and diamond drop earrings.

Talking about fashion and style and not mentioning Deepika Padukone is not fair. The queen of Bollywood looks amazing no matter what she wears. If you are tired of wearing dresses and gowns and want to try something different, her vibrant red power suit that exudes boss-woman energy is the ideal outfit inspiration. Her quirky bralette, which had a crisscross neckline, was polished off with a layer of preppy flair thanks to the oversized blazer’s design.