Neera Cafe, first of its kind in country, launched in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: In a first of its kind, a Neera Cafe and Food Court was launched in Hyderabad by Telangana Prohibition and Excise Minister V Srinivas Goud on Wednesday. Built at a cost of Rs 12.2 crore on Necklace Road, this happens to be the first neera cafe in the country.

Neera, also known as palm nectar extracted from toddy palm trees, is offered fresh to its consumers at the Neera Cafe. The expansive facility features seven stalls that can accommodate 300 to 500 people.

The unique cafe was established with the intent of representing Telangana culture and also for the development and welfare of toddy tappers in the state. Consumed by many in Telangana, neera is considered healthy since it contains magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, protein, sugar and vitamin C.

According to reports, Neera improves detoxification of the human body, thereby aiding in the prevention of diseases such as diabetes, fatty liver and heart disease.

Visitors to the Buddha monument in the middle of Hussain Sagar will also be ferried by boats to to the Neera Cafe.The cafe will be open everyday from 10 am to 10 pm.

In addition to neera, the Neera Cafe would sell other by-products like jaggery, sugar, honey, neera syrups. The cafe will also serve sumptuous chicken and mutton dishes for the neera consumers.

The state government plans to expand Neera cafe facilities in the next few days. Obtaining a licence from the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) to manufacture, pack and sell neera and its byproducts was a crucial milestone in this process.

"People usually think that neera is an alcoholic drink, but it is not," said Minister V Srinivas Goud at the grand opening of the Neera Cafe.

Neera, as it is commonly known, takes many forms. It is good for people suffering from liver problems, diabetes and other conditions. It contains amino acids and other substances that aid in the prevention of cancer and other illnesses. Neera is being made available to the public only after extensive scientific testing. Neera may also help with immunity.