King coconut thambili the orange roadside coconuts what are they and should I drink them everywhere
I am hooked on the orange roadside coconuts the THAMBILI (king coconut) sold at stalls everywhere where they chop the top and you drink the water What exactly is thambili (different from the green coconut) is it safe and good to drink everywhere what does it cost is the water good for you (rehydration) and do you eat the soft flesh inside after I love them but want to understand them and drink them wisely Locals and travellers please tell me about thambili
5 Answers from travellers
Coastal food guide so the thambili lowdown a beloved island staple What it is THAMBILI is the KING COCONUT a variety of coconut with a distinctive ORANGE (golden) husk grown specially for its sweet refreshing WATER (different from the green or brown coconut used for cooking flesh) it is the classic roadside thirst quencher sold everywhere from stalls and carts and back of bicycles the vendor hacks the top with a knife and hands it to you with a straw or to drink straight you drink the cool naturally sweet water Is it safe and good to drink everywhere YES this is one of the SAFEST and BEST things to drink it is naturally sealed and sterile inside the husk (the water is clean untouched by hands or dodgy water sources) so unlike some street drinks thambili is reliably safe to drink anywhere from any stall (no ice or tap water worries it is sealed by nature) drink it freely all over the island it is the perfect safe hydrating local drink Cost CHEAP a thambili costs very little (a small number of rupees) brilliant value (do glance that you are charged the fair local price not an inflated tourist rate at very touristy spots but it is cheap regardless) Good for you YES excellent natural REHYDRATION the water is full of electrolytes (potassium and minerals) naturally hydrating and refreshing perfect in the heat (the sun and heat threads) far better than a fizzy drink a natural sports drink it settles the stomach too Eating the flesh YES after you drink the water hand it back and the vendor will CHOP IT OPEN so you can scoop and eat the soft jelly like flesh inside (in a young king coconut the flesh is soft and delicious) ask them to cut it open (they make a little spoon from the husk) a lovely two part treat drink then eat How to enjoy it stop at any thambili stall when thirsty (they are everywhere especially roadsides and near sites) drink the cool sweet water (safe and hydrating) then have them open it to eat the soft flesh pay the fair cheap price So yes drink thambili (king coconut) freely it is the orange husked coconut grown for its sweet water one of the SAFEST drinks on the island (sealed and sterile by nature so safe from any stall anywhere) cheap and a brilliant natural rehydration in the heat and after drinking the water have the vendor chop it open to eat the soft jelly flesh enjoy this perfect island thirst quencher everywhere you go
After a hot day of sightseeing a cold thambili was my reward every afternoon they are everywhere near the sites and roadsides so you are never far from one being naturally sealed I never once worried about the water unlike other street drinks a safe reliable joy
The orange husked coconut grown for its sweet water one of the safest drinks on the island sealed and sterile by nature so safe from any stall cheap and brilliant natural rehydration in the heat and after drinking have the vendor chop it open for the soft jelly flesh this is exactly what I wanted to know now I can enjoy them everywhere thank you
It really is the best thing in the heat far better than a sugary soft drink so reach for a thambili whenever you are thirsty and walking in the sun your body will thank you and you support the local vendors at the same time a perfect cheap healthy habit for your trip
Do ask them to open it for the flesh afterwards I did not realise at first and was missing half the treat the soft jelly inside a young king coconut is delicious and they scoop it or make a husk spoon for you it is a lovely two in one for almost nothing
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