The south Indian state of Kerala has a long history of local alcoholic beverages — with the earliest mentions of palm wine dating back to the ancient Sangam-era literature circa 3rd century BCE. In more recent times, Kallu Shaaps or toddy shops have kept alive Kerala's love for local alcoholic drinks. And now, there's one more contender in the mix: 1998 Kera Kesari (an award for Kerala's best farmer) award-winning coconut farmer Sebastian P. Augustine has created India's first tender coconut wine.
The idea of making wine from tender coconut water and kernel first came to the Kasaragod-based former Kerala state government employee in the early 2000s. Augustine received the patent to make coconut wine in August 2007, but disputes over similar patents held by Chinese wine-makers held up the launch of his tender coconut wine. Almost two decades later, the now-octogenarian Augustine finally won the lengthy legal battle in 2023 after proving to the patent authorities that his process is distinct because of his use of tender coconut water and kernel unlike the Chinese patent's use of only coconut water. He is currently in the process of patenting his one-of-a-kind tender coconut wine in other international markets like the US, EU, Canada, Philippines, and Indonesia.
According to Augustine, the unique wine is made by fermenting the kernel, milk, and water of tender coconuts cultivated in his small 15-acre farm in the Bheemanady village. Additionally, fruits like papaya, pineapple, mango, banana, and passion fruit, and spices like cinnamon, clove, and vanilla extract are added to give the wine a complex palate of fruity, tropical notes with a hint of coconut. This patented process produces a wine that is purer than traditional grape wines because it uses tender coconut water instead of water, according to Augustine.
With bureaucratic hurdles like licensing complexities and conflicting patents out of the way, Sebastian is now trying to establish a state-of-the-art winery on his farm in Northern Kerala. Soon, his tender coconut wine — until now only available in Kerala — will be available widely under a registered brand, promising a unique addition to India’s diverse local liquors and wine market which has made significant strides in recent years.
If you enjoyed reading this, here's more from Homegrown:
The Charms Of Kerala’s Toddy Shops Go Beyond The Food & Alcohol
Arunachal Pradesh Is Home To India’s First Organic Kiwi Wine
Try The World’s First Chikoo Wine That’s Made In Maharashtra