Toddy & Hot Toddy
What is commonly known as TODDY is a drink that comes from the coconut tree. The Africans tap the oil palm trees to get toddy also. In Malaysia toddy is always associated with the plantations where the early planters provided toddy shops of similar set up and intentions as in India in those days. It is a "social club" where the workers could relax and unwind after a hard day's work. Of course if one takes one too many it can be an intoxicating drink. Sometimes other intoxicants are added to add the "kick". Adulterated toddy by suppliers are not uncommon and in a dispute the Assistant of the plantation had sometimes to be called to verify quality. And so as a young assistant I was introduced to toddy. If the Tuan Kecil says its OK it must be OK!!
Many many years later on a trip to England for my son's graduation as a doctor I was indeed surprised to come across HOT TODDY in the pubs and food outlets. I thought that as it was the familiar drink back home I ordered one. It turned out to be a hot drink of brandy mixed with whisky which really gave a "kick". Anyway it turned out fine because the day was quite chilly.
This name hot toddy could have its origin from India also!!
The desire to get a "kick" and enjoy a booze gave rise to the local brew - the samu. It became a menace not only to the families but also to the plantation management. Deaths were even reported. In the critical areas anti samsu squads were formed and campaigns organised. Illegal jungle distilleries were identified and destroyed.
Although today the toddy business is a sunset industry there are still people even in the towns who would still enjoy this refreshing drink once in a while . In Taiping there is still a toddy shop which still sells this drink. In fact this shop (in the picture above) which is known as "kedai Tuak" has a long history dating back to the colonial days.
What is commonly known as TODDY is a drink that comes from the coconut tree. The Africans tap the oil palm trees to get toddy also. In Malaysia toddy is always associated with the plantations where the early planters provided toddy shops of similar set up and intentions as in India in those days. It is a "social club" where the workers could relax and unwind after a hard day's work. Of course if one takes one too many it can be an intoxicating drink. Sometimes other intoxicants are added to add the "kick". Adulterated toddy by suppliers are not uncommon and in a dispute the Assistant of the plantation had sometimes to be called to verify quality. And so as a young assistant I was introduced to toddy. If the Tuan Kecil says its OK it must be OK!!
Many many years later on a trip to England for my son's graduation as a doctor I was indeed surprised to come across HOT TODDY in the pubs and food outlets. I thought that as it was the familiar drink back home I ordered one. It turned out to be a hot drink of brandy mixed with whisky which really gave a "kick". Anyway it turned out fine because the day was quite chilly.
This name hot toddy could have its origin from India also!!
The desire to get a "kick" and enjoy a booze gave rise to the local brew - the samu. It became a menace not only to the families but also to the plantation management. Deaths were even reported. In the critical areas anti samsu squads were formed and campaigns organised. Illegal jungle distilleries were identified and destroyed.
Although today the toddy business is a sunset industry there are still people even in the towns who would still enjoy this refreshing drink once in a while . In Taiping there is still a toddy shop which still sells this drink. In fact this shop (in the picture above) which is known as "kedai Tuak" has a long history dating back to the colonial days.
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