What is that brown muddy drink? Is "Wood Apple" safe for tourists?

I drink it all the time, never had issues. Just ask:

- ‘No ice please’
- ‘Made with bottled water?’

If they look confused, skip it.

It looks like mud, smells like blue cheese, but tastes like heaven (sour/sweet tamarind)!

- Safety: Yes, it is safe. The hard shell of the fruit protects the inside from bacteria/insects.
- The "Laxative" Warning: Wood Apple is a powerful natural laxative.

- Small Glass: Excellent for digestion.
- Two Glasses: You might spend the afternoon in the toilet.

- Verdict: Drink it! It is full of vitamins and very refreshing in the heat. Just stop at one glass until you know how your stomach reacts.

Wood apple is a normal Sri Lankan fruit. We call it divul, and that thick brown drink is usually Divul Kiri (wood apple blended with coconut milk, water, jaggery/sugar). It looks like mud, but it’s a classic.

It smells strong because wood apple is naturally funky, sour-sweet, and a bit fermented-tasting. We mix it with jaggery and coconut milk and a pinch of salt.

Try a small sip first. If you like tamarind vibes, you might enjoy it.

I got sick once after a wood apple juice, but I’m pretty sure it was the ice or the blender hygiene, not the fruit. I’ve had it many times since with no ice and it was fine.