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During our stay in the region of Penang, we have been very lucky to taste a strange local drink. This drink is finally drunk in several countries of the world such as Africa, as Asia, as India.... This drink is called the Toddy. This alcohol drink is the product of the coconut palm trees.

Twice a day, a man must go collect the sap of the palm. To get it, he must cut the tree deeply and climb naked foot in the tree until he gets over the branch. This operation is made without harness about 10 meters high. The man cuts the flower of the tree then he hang at the end of the branch, a bucket. It’s a bit the same principal of collecting the maples syrup in Canada. I have a lot of respect for these people who are paid 0.35 RM (0.10 $) for every accumulated liter. After a while, he collects the product and he lets it ferment for about 2 hours. To the contact of the air, the product will ferment naturally and products an alcoholic drink in only 2 hours. To this moment, the toddy is still delicious for us, because it’s hot and sugary. It counts 4% of alcohol. If they keep the toddy longer in the jar, the concentration of alcohols will be higher and the taste would be sourer.

Everyone in Malaysia (Chinese and Indian) seems to appreciate this drink. It’s present to every social meetings of the village. According to us, we appreciate to drink this strange drink, but the taste is still unfamiliar for us. However, it is necessary to try it and you can really be drunk with that drink, The Toddy!!!