PALM WINE TAPING

Palm trees is one of the economic tree that is commonly grown in my community in Nasarawa State.

We live in a scattered settlement because each family only build on their family land. Most of the families are small in terms of numeric strength but have vast area of land. The undeveloped area is used as palm trees plantation.

Palm trees are not uprooted before taping them In my community , just as I have experience in some parts of kogi and ogun state. Taping is done three times a day. morning, afternoon and evening and the fluid is collected via a connector constructed from India bamboo to an earthen pot

The fluid is collected once a day to allow for large quantity or immediately after taping . If the fluid is collected immediately after taping, it is called sugery sap. Very rich in vitamin A , vitamin A, is very good for eye sight. It can also be used for the cure of missile. As soon as the symptoms of missile is notice, the sugery sap is taking and rubbed , it brings the missle outside the skin.

If the fluid is not collected immediately, it is called a palm wine. The alcoholic content depends on how long it is allowed to ferment. Fermentation takes place when bacteria in the air react with the surgery sap to produce a sour taste. It can also be used to produce local gin, popularly known as ogogoro (sapele water).

After taping consistently for a period of one month, at this stage the taping is stopped to allow for further germination or else it will wither off.