Toddy drink ( Htan-yee)is popular drink among old and young people in central Myanmar, especially where Toddy Palms grow well in arid plain of central Myanmar.
Just recently, during three days trip to Bagan, an ancient city of Myanmar, every afternoon, to take refuge from the heat for a few hours, we head to the hut of Toddy drink seller, which is surrounded with the groves of Toddy Palm trees.
The hut is made of parts of Toddy Palm tree. The posts and flooring are made of the stem and the roof is made of Toddy Palm leaves and it gives cooling shade. The strips of Toddy leaves are also used for making baskets, hats, and others accessories. Toddy Palms are very useful plants, since; all parts can be used in several ways. I learned that the life span of Toddy Palm is from 150 to 200 years.
When the juice is still fresh, it tastes sweet and when the juice starts to ferment, it tastes bitter. The sweet juice is boiled to make jiggery, while the bitter juice is used as a alcohol, Toddy drink ( Htan-yee)
Toddy drink is indeed healthy drink helps to ease the burning heat of summer and it makes cover for the too much sweating. I am sure, drinking moderate of Toddy drink is somewhat remedy, but too much drinking is not recommended.
I did enjoy sweet bitter taste of Toddy drink, as well as the cool shade of the hut. I must say that the sight of the groves of Toddy Palm trees add to the Beauty of Bagan.
Julie Bawk ( Kachin)
Photos credit: Google Image