| Kalanthan Koya, Mananchira, Kozhikode |
46 years ago, when young Kalanthan Koya advertised to the public in Mananchira in Kozhikode about the availability of fruit juice in his shop, the general reaction was one of amazement. So the patronage to the new habit was slow in building.
However, as the years and decades have rolled by, Kalanthan’s juice has almost become synonymous with the culinary tradition of Kozhikode, just as, perhaps, ‘Palpayasam’ is a part of Ambalappuzha. Although his shop even now produces a variety of juices and shakes, it is the ‘Sharjah Shake’ that is the star attraction at the counter. Sharjah Shake is made using frozen milk that is broken into crystals, ‘njalippoovan’ bananas and a little ‘bournvita’.
It was in 1990s that Sharjah Shake was developed at Kalanthan’s. One day, when India-Pakistan cricket match was being played at Sharjah, a spectator from the TV shop adjacent to his shop ordered fruit juice. He gave a new ‘cocktail’. To the question as to what its name was, he just managed to name it Sharjah Special. The man came back the next day and ordered another Sharjah Special. It was the birth of a brand.
Today in most of the towns in Kerala one can get Sharjah Shake. Many among these the juice makers here and in major restaurants in the Gulf, have gone through their apprenticeship at Kalanthan’s shop. “ This is a training institute also. There is a demand in the Gulf for the experience gained at Kalanthan’s shop. During vacations, when they visit Kerala, the grateful ‘students’ visit Kalanthan Koya,” says his son.
Koya’s adherence to quality is also praiseworthy. He buys fruits just for the day. If the number of customers increases, good juice cannot be prepared. At such times, the strict instruction of Koya is to down the shutters.
No wonder, from former District Collector Amitab Kanth to footballer I.M.Vijayan, his fans are many.
Courtesy:
P.S.Rakesh, Kanyaka, March 31, 2006
Contributed by: Administrator
