At Socorro, people wake up and smell the Jaffee

PANAJI:

Jaffee

could be the latest

flavour of coffee

. It does not have any caffeine nor any other stimulant, but is made from an increasingly wasted ingredient — jackfruit seeds. Goans are just waking up to the smell of this healthy brew.

On Saturday, to coincide with the Ponnsachem Fest (Feast of Jackfruits) being held on the occasion of

Sao Joao in Socorro

, scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Old Goa, along with staff from Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) gave those curious, a sample of the newly-invented beverage.

Invented by a Karnataka woman last year, Jaffee has hit the market in

Mangaluru

,

Chikmagalore

and other places. Brands that are promoting it claim it is not only 100% natural but also has nutritive value. “This decoction from jackfruit seeds powder is a health drink without any stimulant. Housewives can easily make the powder by roasting the seeds and adding some powder of methi (fenugreek) and jeera (cummin) seeds and cardamom,” says Sunetra Talaulikar, subject matter specialist (home science) at ICAR.

ICAR’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra recently organized two training programmes in collaboration with ATMA under the state agriculture department for 50 master trainers and others from north Goa. Jackfruit grows all over Goa but wastage is so rampant that the fruit is even allowed to rot on the tree. “There is lack of awareness about what value addition can do ,” Eknath Chakurkar, director, ICAR, Old Goa said.

Scores of value-added products can be easily prepared, such as chips, pickle, jam, halwa and papad and self help groups can take it up as an enterprise. “These can be from immature to ripening stage while even its thorny skin and softer parts which are not eaten can be utilised to prepare wine and pickle,” another scientist said.

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