Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 21: The major commercial crop of coastal Karnataka, areca nut, and sub-crop cocoa, have been witnessing rise in prices. After they became part of value-added items, the farmers have hit the jackpot.

Srikrishna Shastri from Gurimoole, Puttur, who is a cook, has shown that it is possible to make tasty Holige (Obbattu) by using areca nut and cocoa. These uses are expected to get widespread demand for value-added items using these products all over the world in future. This is also a promising development for the crop and its growers.

Last year, Sudarshan Bedrady from Badiadka had made Laddoo from areca nuts. Later, another cook made Holige by using jackfruit, pineapple, carrot, dates, and fruits. After other uses, like chocolate, now cocoa Holige is having good demand in Karnataka and Kerala, says Srikrishna Shastri. 

Cocoa Holige is prepared by making powder out of dried cocoa beans, and by adding rawa and sugar syrup. Old areca nut needs have to be ground with ghee before they are cooked and added to the Holige paste. Presently, cocoa Holige is sold at Rs 15 per piece while whole areca Holige costs Rs 22.