“What do you think this is?” I turn from my work station. A colleague is holding high a plastic bag filled with small tan rectangles.
Squint for a closer look. “Um, soap?”
He grins at my guess. “Sugar cane!” He reaches into the bag and hands me a piece.
It’s light but rough to the touch. It is just like a shard of rattan furniture but moist.
“You chew it for the juice. Just don’t swallow it.”
Er, yes, I’ve heard of this, but am not sure how to actually do it. It’s too big to put into my mouth at once. What about splinters? I find a corner and squash it in the side of my mouth.
The cane compacts easily and a tiny splash of water flows around my tongue. I tip my head back to keep it from falling out as I can’t close my mouth with the cane sticking out.
The juice tastes very similar to coconut water but weaker, less sweet. From another perspective you could say that it’s just plant-flavoured water.
There are tiny fragments left on my tongue. I pick them out and flick them into the bin.
I try a few more times. It’s hard to get the juice without drippage. I suppose it’s just practice.
My tongue feels numb from the roughness. Another co-worker complains of a strong aftertaste but mine had very little flavour at all so I don’t experience that.
Raw Sugar Cane
“What do you think this is?” I turn from my work station. A colleague is holding high a plastic bag filled with small tan rectangles.
Squint for a closer look. “Um, soap?”
He grins at my guess. “Sugar cane!” He reaches into the bag and hands me a piece.
It’s light but rough to the touch. It is just like a shard of rattan furniture but moist.
“You chew it for the juice. Just don’t swallow it.”
Er, yes, I’ve heard of this, but am not sure how to actually do it. It’s too big to put into my mouth at once. What about splinters? I find a corner and squash it in the side of my mouth.
The cane compacts easily and a tiny splash of water flows around my tongue. I tip my head back to keep it from falling out as I can’t close my mouth with the cane sticking out.
The juice tastes very similar to coconut water but weaker, less sweet. From another perspective you could say that it’s just plant-flavoured water.
There are tiny fragments left on my tongue. I pick them out and flick them into the bin.
I try a few more times. It’s hard to get the juice without drippage. I suppose it’s just practice.
My tongue feels numb from the roughness. Another co-worker complains of a strong aftertaste but mine had very little flavour at all so I don’t experience that.
Not a spot on coconut water!
Rating:
Specifics: raw sugar can, bought in Cabramatta