The Hard Work Behind the Rustic Refreshment

Water coconut trees grow abundantly along the Cai Lon River. But recently, many sections of the river have been used as mooring stations for boats, so the water coconut trees have been gradually cut down, and people have had to row boats into small canals and streams to buy them.

Having been in the profession for over 10 years, Ms. Nguyen Phuong Dung, residing in Xeo Ro hamlet, An Bien commune, said: “The water coconut has latex and is small, so cutting it is quite difficult and the knife can easily slip. The flesh inside the fruit must also be scraped carefully to avoid breaking it.”

Water coconut stalls are often displayed to attract customers. Most people only buy coconut meat to eat immediately or to prepare. Therefore, the seller must carefully separate the meat inside.

After being grated, the coconut meat is washed, drained and then refrigerated to help maintain its freshness. On average, each 0.5kg bag of coconut water costs about 40,000 VND. This is a rustic, familiar drink for people in the West.

Cool glasses of coconut water, with added sugar and ice, are made ready and sold for 15,000-20,000 VND/glass. After more than a year of selling coconut water and pineapple at the foot of Cai Lon bridge, Ms. Vo Thi Kieu Diem, a resident of Dong Hoa commune, said: “Because there are many sellers, the competition is high. On average, I sell 4-5kg of coconut water every day, enough to live on.”

In addition to selling the fruit, water coconut leaves are used to roof houses, and the roots help hold the soil and prevent landslides.

BAO TRAN - ELEGANT