This hot season, it’s a cool time to sell thirst-quenching drinks

Soothing respite: Two young customers enjoying coconut shakes at a shop in Jalan Datuk Keramat. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: Drink sellers here are enjoying brisk business these days, with many people thronging stalls to quench their thirst during this hot spell.

Khairul Anuar Othman, 54, who has been selling cold drinks in Ayer Itam for the past few years, said the number of customers had doubled since the hot weather began early this month.

“I sell various types of drinks but one particular drink that is in demand is air cincau.

“The grass jelly drink is known for its ‘cooling’ properties and other health benefits.

“Many people buy the beverage to quench their thirst during the hot weather,” he said.

The grass jelly drink is said to be able to get rid of body heat, aid indigestion and reduce blood pressure.

A customer, who only wished to be known as Azlan, said he had been buying air cincau from the stall almost every day lately.

“Due to the sweltering heat, I always feel thirsty. Having a cup of air cincau helps to cool my body heat,” he said.

Herbal drink seller Lam Foong Keng, 66, said she was selling between 150 and 200 cups of herbal drinks daily.

The third-generation herbal drink maker said among the hot selling items were herbal tea and chrysanthemum tea.

“Some of them take it hot but many prefer it cold because the weather is so hot.

“I expect to sell more if the hot weather is prolonged,” Lam said, adding that herbal drinks could get rid of body heat and prevent dehydration.

Business was also quite good at another shop along Jalan Datuk Keramat selling all things coconut.

Its managing director Joel Jeyachandran said more people frequented his shop in the afternoon, probably due to the heat.

“People seem to be looking for coconut shakes and jelly, especially youngsters.

“Our shakes are the crowd-puller. The customers find them a good thirst-quencher in this heat.

“The regular customers, on the other hand, still go for the standard coconut water,” he said, adding that prices had remained the same despite the demand.

“We’re a wholesaler, so we can control it,” he added.