Young Innovator from Dharmapuri
In modern food products, refined sugar, commonly known as white sugar or ‘Jeeni’, holds a significant place. Its usage has skyrocketed in every household and food establishment. About fifty years ago, when visiting a tea shop, you would be asked if you wanted sugar tea or ‘Jeeni’ tea, with the latter being five paise more expensive.
Forgotten Foods
When prominent or affluent people visited, they were served ‘Jeeni’ tea without being asked, reflecting the high regard for white sugar. This led to the gradual disappearance of traditional palm sugar tea. White sugar became prevalent in most sweet foods, similar to how traditional rice varieties and millets were forgotten.
Awareness
However, in recent times, the growing awareness of food and health has prompted people to return to our traditional food habits. This has led to a renewed interest in palm jaggery made from palm sap and country sugar made from sugarcane. Consequently, our traditional food products are regaining their value.
In this context, R. Sukumar, a young graduate from Kadakathur, Dharmapuri district, has taken over his father’s country sugar manufacturing business. We recently met him to discuss his work. He shared:
“In Tamil life, medicine is not separate from food. Food itself cures illnesses, hence our ancestors said ‘food is medicine.’ Our food items were designed to nourish and heal. However, with the arrival of the British and the growth of civilization, our kitchen ingredients and food habits began to change significantly.
Old Rice
This change is now at its peak, and so are diseases. While we have gotten used to eating idli and dosa, foreigners are now having our traditional rice varieties for breakfast. Instead of saying you shouldn’t live in a town without a temple, it has become you shouldn’t live in a town without a hospital. Our ancestors sang, ‘Ginger in the morning, dried ginger in the midday, and kadukkai in the evening, those who follow this will walk around joyfully.’
As a result, people are moving back to our traditional food habits. Now, people are drawn to millets like varagu, kambu, kuthiraivali, samai, and thinai. I am engaged in producing good food products like country sugar from sugarcane.
33 Years
My father, K.C. Rangasamy, has been manufacturing country sugar from sugarcane for thirty-three years. He is a socially conscious individual and served as the village head of Kadakathur for two consecutive terms from 1996 to 2006. He is committed to honesty in both his personal life and business, thus ensuring high-quality country sugar production.
Herbal Sugar
For the past three years, under my father’s guidance, I have been managing the business and producing high-quality country sugar under the brand name ‘Narsuvai Nattu Sakkarai,’ which is sold in Tamil Nadu and neighboring states. Our sugar has been well received, prompting me to develop and market herbal country sugar.
Three Varieties
We produce three varieties of herbal sugar: one containing dry ginger, pepper, long pepper, cardamom, tulsi, licorice, avarai, and ashwagandha; another with dry ginger and cardamom; and a third with fresh milk. We also offer regular country sugar. Next, we plan to produce country sugar mixed with dry ginger and coriander.
Ease of Use
Combining all these ingredients into a herbal decoction ensures good health. However, preparing these mixtures can be tedious and time-consuming for people, leading to reluctance. This challenge in Tamil medicine is circumvented in Western medicine by providing such mixtures in easy-to-use pill form, which people readily accept.
But in Tamil medicine, the idea of preparing these mixtures oneself leads to hesitation and avoidance. To make it easy for people to benefit from these herbs and maintain good health, we mix them into country sugar. Using this herbal sugar is simple; just mix it with hot water to create a health-boosting herbal tea.
Good Intention
Understanding the purpose of having six senses as humans, I work with the intention that one can only function well as long as the body is healthy. Food that provides such body health must be nutritious and of high quality. I conduct my business with this noble intention,” he concluded.
With confidence that Sukumar’s good intentions will support the growth of his business, we wished him well and bid farewell.
Contact: Sukumar: 75503 37337, 97863 11441
Bommidi Murugesan
