Cashing in on cashew apple

MANGALORE: Woman entrepreneur Shyamala Shastri, successful in establishing delicious and nutritious fruit juice varieties manufactured under the brand Prakriti Foods, is now setting a new target to hit the market with cashew apple squash, which according to her is the first of its kind in the state.

This value addition will benefit primarily the cashew growers as they used to discard cashew apple due to lack of demand in the absence of cashew apple processing units.

Horticulture Research Centre, which preserves a Scion Bank of more than 60 varieties of cashew in its plantation in Ullal here, supplies Shyamala, the required raw cashew apple to manufacture squash.

Shyamala started manufacturing cashew apple juice on an experimental basis two years ago.

She could sell 900 bottles of 750 ml in last year, Buoyant by the response of her venture, Shyamala is all set expand the business by introducing additional crushing machines and appointing more workers.

"Demand for cashew apple juice will be increased in the market, if sufficient publicity is given. Many people do not know the value of cashew apple juice which is rich in vitamin C and is also good drink for those who have wheezing problem," Shyamala told TOI. Shyamala ventured into the business after undergoing training in juice making from Krishi Kendra in Brahmavar and under the Union ministry of food and nutrition in Bangalore.

Though Shyamala had started the juice manufacturing unit eight years ago, she added unique squashes of cashew apple, brahmi, nelli and amla in the recent years. Cashew apple squash of 750 ml bottle is priced at Rs 75.

About 40 glasses of juice can be made out of one bottle of squash by adding water and sugar, she claims.

Shyamala with the help of husband Harishchandra Shastri and helpers also produce pickles and other food products in their unit. Pejakai (wild jack) pickle is another tasty product, which is being marketed by Shyamala and her team.

"We do not use any preservative and our products are free from chemicals too," Shyamala said.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-19/mangalore/31076858_1_cashew-juice-squash