Sip-up
I was surprised when one of my friends wanted to pack some "sip-ups" to Dubai. I thought it was because he could not survive the heat. My ignorance to an NRI's taste was showing up. It was not that he would not get the best ice creams and ice-fruit-bars, ice-cream bars in Dubai, but the one that you get in Kerala is a speciality.
Product Description:
Sip-up is an ice-bar with fruity flavor, in a 15 cm long and 2cm diameter-plastic pack, served in bakeries (Teena Bakery, Panampilly Nagar, Cochin, Kerala, India). The flavours ranged from orange, pineapple, grape, and mango. It is one bakery invention that blends the concept of ice-fruit and soft-drink into one plastic pack. One has to create an opening (incidentally there is no way to know which is the top or bottom, wonder how the name "sip-up" originated?) on one end, and then start sipping the ice-fruit bar (heavenly!!). As the ice melts..it becomes flavoured syrup which too is refreshing. At half a rupee (50 Indian Paise) it became many a school boys reward..be it a treat, winning a hockey match, or making your friend envy. It was more in demand than the chocolate toffees. Obviously, it had it's benefits...
1. Since, the ice-fruit is not exposed to air contamination like in Ice-candy bar..it is more hygienic . The plastic pack helped(doubt the water quality..but out immunity levels were high that time)
2. Never a drain on the pocket money..and parents could get away with that "irritant" when shopping..One sip-up and the lad becomes quiet.
It was considered hip to "sip-up" and hang around the place, leaning on the red BSA-SLR Bicycle..Every school kid from Cochin in the 80's-90's will vouch for this refreshing bar of ice-fruit as the best thing after school hours.
My friend wanted to live that experience in Dubai..Unfortunately..he cannot live it up entirely...The SLR bikes have vanished and life is altogether different...'It is zipped up"
3 comments:
I will vouch for the Sip Up. I still buy it when I go to my old school to help out for functions like Sports Day! :) I remember my parents telling me that it was made of gutter water. But we didn't care. After lunch, a Sip Up was a must...also on the way to the School Van after school.
Hi Nadam,
I can see that you are a serious blogger.
I am a researcher in Delhi university and I am exploring ways in which blogs are helping people to network. I would appreciate if you could pull off some time and visit my research blog at http://nmsoc.blogspot.com and write about something your blogging experiences. In case you do not feel like submitting your writeup on my blog, you can email me at newmedia.soc@gmail.com.
In case you feel I can interview you through e-mails, do dash me a mail at my aforementioned address. I will get back to you.
Cheers!
Asim
Sip up and zip up.. hehehe.. you're giving me ideas!
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