Page 116 - Final Report Improving information and developing a repository of sustainable soil management practices in Asia

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4. Simmering the juice

While the juice is being simmered, scoop "sludge of the juice" or white stain resulting from
simmering. This part is scooped to be put in a jar to make vinegar for consumption further.

Simmering the juice in a pan takes about 3 hours to get liquid sugar about the size of
viscous. After that, remove it from the stove to be drenched by using the palm-drenching stick to

batter and press it in the pan with sugar. The reason of doing this is prevent the sugar from

coagulating. Drenching the palm takes 30 minutes. Put the obtained sugar in buckets, which is the
final step. Fresh sugar of 6 buckets is simmered to get a bucket of sugar.

Benefits of nipa palm trees

Parts of nipa palms to be utilized as follows:

1. Pond Jak (Leaf sheath) of nipa palm or is called locally as "Pong Jak" which is used as
a buoy to hold on to during swimming. It can be used as a lot of toys such as ships, guns or swords.

The part a little above Pond Jak can be cut to be used as a stick to beat spine of fish-fin for

fishermen. For dry Pond Jak, it can be used as firewood in making nipa palm sugar.

2. Palm leaf: The back of the palm leaf can be used as a sheath to row a boat which is better

than nylon sheath in terms of being tougher except for the disadvantage which is not being durable.
The most benefit used mostly of palm leaves is making pieces of a tap thatching (bamboo silver to

which nipa leaves are sewn to make thatch). Dry palm leaves can be used well as firewood.

3. Nipa palm crown: nipa palm leaflets are sewn to be hats used well as an umbrella for
rain protection or sun protection. These hats are similar to ngob (a farmer' hat shaped like an

inverted basin) of the central region but different in shapes. People in the southern region call this
"Piew".

Old nipa palm leaves are sewn to make pieces of a tap thatching (bamboo silver to which
nipa leaves are sewn to make thatch) or house partition.

4. Nok Jak (inflorescence) is part of the flower stalk sprouting from the stem under the soil

surface at the leaf base. When the white flower coat is peeled, it can be boiled and eaten with chili
sauce or cooked as coconut milk curry.

5. Young nipa palm trunks can be made as brooms or insect-repelling whips.

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