Yesterday, I started from my home to my office at Seruseri, it was 11 am, and I had to reach the office at 1:30. I was travelling by bus. I started to sweat a lot, and my shirts, pants, and everything were wet because of the sweat. I started to wonder why I am sweating so much. Then I remember that this start of the second week of April. We have officially entered Chennai’s Summer; it’s hot and humid. Where does single water in your body come out as you step out of your home? Then I started searching for Pepsi, Cola for thirst, and I am quickly dehydrating. Then I remember these contain high sugar, so I should not take them, since I have already gained weight. Then I thought of some Summer seasonal fruits in Chennai, which can fulfil with thirsty ness and also keep my body cool and healthy.
For anyone who is born and brought up in Chennai, what seasonal fruits are available in Chennai during the summer days? But I am writing this little post to suggest what the fruits are that are good to take in Summer for my friends who come out of this beautiful City.
I’ll list down some of my favourite fruits available in and around Chennai during the Summer days. First is everyone’s favourite Watermelon.
Watermelon, the King of Summer Seasonal Fruits
Yes, Watermelon is everyone’s favourite, which one should never miss during the summer season. It is delicious, colourful, and it is the best of the best when it comes to hydrating your body during the summer. It is everyone’s favourite and kids love it. It can be taken raw, and it can be taken as juice. Both ways, this watermelon helps you to fight the hot and humid climate of Chennai.
You can literally see this fruit everywhere on the streets in Chennai during the summer. If you want to try it more fresher watermelon, you can have a drive to Pondicherry via ECR, where you can get watermelon right after harvest from the nearby fields. You can get it at a very low price and also very fresh. I recently visited a roadside shop in ECR road in Kalpakkam, where I noticed a new variety of Watermelon which is has Yellow pulp instead of red.
I was shocked after trying it; it tastes better than the regular one.
Muskmelon, a watermelon alternative
Muskmelon is another favourite fruit which you can have in summer. You can have it as juice, and you can have it raw; it is just like watermelon, but it has a strong flavour, which some people may not prefer over watermelon. Like watermelon, it is a seasonal fruit, which is available only during the summer, mostly from March to June. It is a favourite when some make it into a juice. When you take it as a pulp, it is less sweet. But when you make it as juice, you can add extra sugar and juice, that make it great. It is a great alternative to watermelon.
Lemon Everyone Favourite
This is not just Chennai’s favourite, but it is the national favourite during the summer. It is the cheapest, filled with nutrients, it instantly refreshes the body, and you literally get all over the year. Lemon juice is best consumed during hot summer days in Chennai, as it replenishes all the salts and sugar lost via sweat during hot Summer days.
Nungu (நுங்கு), that is, Ice Apple or Palmyra Fruit
If watermelon is the king of Summer seasonal fruits in Chennai, then Nungu is the God of summer seasonal fruit in Chennai. As you travel in and around the outer Chennai (In Inner Nungu is expensive), you get Nungu at a very fair price.
This nungu is for all of us who are dealing with “Sticky” Chennai humidity, and it is the best way to stay hydrated. This jelly-like fruit is filled with refreshing, cool water that instantly refreshes you.
The best way to have it is to cut the outer part and use your fingers to take the jelly part out and eat it. Most people like to have it like this rather than having it in the form of juice.
If you are driving along ECR towards Kalpakkam or Mahabalipuram, don’t just see it, stop for a few minutes and support these local people. This Nungu is a seasonal gift for summer, and it is the best of the Summer fruits available in Chennai.