Gift of Nature

Date juice–a gift of winter-brings festivity to Bengalees

Witner has already set in. Extractors locally called 'gachi' are busy processing date trees for extracting juice which is one of the best gifts of winter. Date juice is very sweet to taste. People of all ages are fond of taking raw date juice either in the late evening or in the early morning. Raw date juice contained in an earthly pot weighing 3 kgs is selling at Tk 20 to Tk 25. The people of Bangladesh have a great liking for pithas (cakes) of different kinds specially made with date juice and molasses. Bhijaina pitha, kata pitha, semai pitha, vapa pitha, kuli pitha, patishapta pitha, pakan pitha, khir and paiesh are main delicacies of winter.

Faridpur is famous for date molasses and pataly molasses which have started appearing in different markets of the district. Pataly (liquid) is selling between Tk 35 to Tk 40 a kg depending on its quality. Hajari gur, the best pataly made in Ishangopalpur and Kanaipur unions under Sadar upazila, is selling at Tk 60 to Tk 65 (1 US Dollar) a kg. This Hajari gur which has fascinating flavour and taste is in great demand in the markets because people of means and tastes carry this pataly to their relatives' houses whenever they visit them in winter season (The Bangladesh Observer, December 8, 2004).

Note: Date trees in the country are rapidly decreasing as the farmers sell the tree for brick burning plants. Since bamboo is expensive and decreasing, date trunks are used for making huts. The 'khejurer gur' (date molasses), an art and heritage of the country is gradually decreasing in its product as the date trees are indiscriminately being felled for different uses.

courtesy by...
SAGAR RESTUARANT

Sagar Restaurant offers an extensive choice of traditional Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Indian cuisine together with new mouthwatering recipes, but if you have a preferred dish that isn't on the menu, please don't hesitate to ask the management who will be more than happy to have our chef specially prepare it for you. We provide 100% halal meat.

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