Coconut sap left to ferment into a sour, lightly alcoholic drink. Toddy tapped from the palm flower turns within a day in Nauru’s heat, and it was the island’s alcohol before imported beer arrived.
It ferments in the container on the tree before anyone handles it; there is no preparation, only a climb and a cut.
What goes into it
- coconut palm sap
- nothing else
How it is made
The tapper binds and cuts the unopened flower spathe and hangs a container to catch the dripping sap, returning twice a day. Wild yeasts in the container ferment it as it collects, so it is sweet in the morning and sour and alcoholic by evening.
How long it takes: hours to a day in the container
How it is eaten
From a cup or bottle the day it is drawn; fresh sweet toddy is drunk as it comes or boiled to syrup.
History
Toddy tapped from the palm flower ferments within a day in the heat, giving the island its traditional alcohol before imported beer arrived.
Frequently asked questions
What is Fermented Toddy?
Fermented Toddy is a wine & spirit from Nauru: coconut sap left to ferment into a sour, lightly alcoholic drink. Toddy tapped from the palm flower ferments within a day in the heat, giving the island its traditional alcohol before imported beer arrived.
How is Fermented Toddy made?
The tapper binds and cuts the unopened flower spathe and hangs a container to catch the dripping sap, returning twice a day. Wild yeasts in the container ferment it as it collects, so it is sweet in the morning and sour and alcoholic by evening. It takes hours to a day in the container.
Can I make Fermented Toddy at home?
No, and the atlas gives no method for it. It ferments in the container on the tree before anyone handles it; there is no preparation, only a climb and a cut.
What goes into Fermented Toddy?
Coconut palm sap, nothing else.
How is Fermented Toddy eaten?
From a cup or bottle the day it is drawn; fresh sweet toddy is drunk as it comes or boiled to syrup.
