Kerala's own "Palayankodan" banana wine to offer a unique buzz; Agricultural University prepares to capture the market with seven flavors.

The "Nila" wine, made from fruits under the leadership of Kerala Agricultural University, is set to hit the market within a month. As per regulations, these wines can only be sold through the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco). Initially, the wines will be available at select Bevco outlets. The price for a 750 ml bottle is expected to be less than ₹1000. The research and production of these wines are carried out by the Post-Harvest Technology Department under the College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, where the production unit is also located.

On Tuesday, the Excise Department approved the labels for the first three varieties of wine under the "Nila" brand—Nila Cashew Apple Wine, Nila Pineapple Wine, and Nila Banana Wine.

The cashew apple wine is made from cashew apples and contains 14.5% alcohol. The Nila Banana Wine is crafted from Kerala’s own Palayankodan bananas, known for their mild acidity, fragrance, and soft texture, and contains 12.5% alcohol. The pineapple wine is produced from the Mauritius variety of pineapples, which recently received a GI tag, and also has 12.5% alcohol content.

According to Dr. Saji Gomes, Head of the Department, the university plans to launch seven varieties of wine. Future plans include producing wine from jackfruit, coconut water, jamun (Indian blackberry), and nutmeg rind.