Ice Apple a summer delight that all relish

LB Nagar: Hidden within a smooth and hard outer covering is a translucent jelly-like edible fruit, sweet and delicious. Nongu or ice apple is one of the best seasonal refresheners. Sourced from palm trees, this seasonal fruit is available during summer from end of April to July.

The supply comes to Hyderabad from Choutuppal, Munugodu, Nakarekal, Ghatkesar, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Mahabubnagar Mall and other adjacent places. A piece of nongu costs around Rs 7. Smaller nongus are considered young and ripe, and the jelly portion must be consumed within an hour or it loses its flavour and colour. "Highways are the best-selling places for nongus. Each fruit has one, two or three jellies inside. We sell one dozen jellys for Rs 60 to Rs 100," said vendors Yadagiri Pandu Ranga Raju and Muthyalu.

While it is more convenient and practical to have the husk removed and the fruit pieces taken out to take home, the fruit is best relished still in the husk, with it being scooped out with a finger. It tastes heavenly if eaten from the husk as it is naturally cool inside.

Apart from its delicious goodness, the fruit is also great for health as it is rich in Vitamin A, B and C, Iron, Zinc, Phosphorous and Potassium, in addition to its soothing and cooling properties, which aid in dealing with heat boils and heat pimples. It is also a low-calorie water-rich fruit that is filled with antioxidants, all of which come together to make up a delicious snack that also aids in losing weight.

N Prabhakar Goud, a customer, said the ice apples are the gift from the nature. "The beauty is that the fruit should be ripened naturally and the vendors can't use chemicals for ripening them. My children, wife and I love the fruit immensely because of its taste and health properties. The fruit should be eaten with husk for better properties," he added. Bunga Raju, another customer, said the fruit helps in removing toxins from our body.

By Bathini Shettaiah Goud